Over ten years into its renovation project, the Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral is finally on a positive path of development, however remains short by four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) for its full completion. While he remains empathetic toward this setback, the honorable Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit admits his decision to refrain from any more financial contributions toward the “National Monument”.
In 2012 the Cathedral renovation project commenced with the initial goal of roof repair, however seismic tests performed on the building proved the need for more extensive work on its foundation as the cathedral would not be able to withstand seismic activity. Evidence of leaks and termite infestation soon grew into the issue of asbestos which hastened the desperate need for an overhaul.
According to Diocese Engineer Tarik Rolle, as of March 2024, EC$ 11.6 Million has been invested in the restoration efforts. This includes five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) donated by the local Government in 2014.
At his most recent press conference, the honorable Prime Minister revealed that his government’s kind donation in 2014 had attracted some negative criticism and backlash specifically from catholic church leaders. In response, the nation’s leader lamented, “ I stop giving churches money because even a couple of priests were saying that I wanted to influence the church, I don’t need the church to win elections, I go to the people directly to win elections and for somebody to have said I was trying to influence the church politically, it’s really baseless and unfortunate. That’s not my interest.”
Honorable Skerrit disclosed that [the] reason for the Government’s donation lies solely in his belief that the church plays a fundamental role in society and that the “cathedral is a national monument” which deserves to be sponsored by the State as it relates to the well-anticipated renovations. “Whatever religion you are in, you cannot deny the fact that the Cathedral is a major monument in the country, a national symbol,” he reiterated. Diocesan engineer Mr. Rolle disclosed that the renovation project was divided into several lots, each addressing specific aspects of the restoration process.
“With careful planning and execution, significant milestones have been achieved. Notable progress includes the removal and replacement of the timber roof structure with stainless steel tiles and the strengthening of the walls and foundation. The Bell Tower and Spire [have] been successfully retrofitted to preserve and secure the historic bells.” he further expounded. Once allocation of the requested amount is successful, persons are expected to return to the Cathedral for normal activities within one year, yet, additional funds are critical to complete further renovation while the church is in use.
“Regrettably, without sufficient financial support, the timeline for completion will inevitably be pushed back, further delaying the restoration of this iconic landmark.” Rolle pleaded.
Meanwhile, Diocesans of Roseau and other faithfuls are called upon to render a contribution toward the completion of the Roseau Cathedral. Regardless [of] the Prime Minister’s refusal to assist financially, he has informed on plans to meet with Fr. Nigel Karam and engage in discussions, while encouraging others to donate to the restoration process.
You put Mr. Pussy-Cat to guard your cheese 🧀 and why are you surprised that your cheese is gone and missing without a trace? Mr. Cat done wiped his mouth clean.
Why should the government give money to the richest entity (catholic) in this world? And to the tune of millions of dollars?
How unfortunate that it is taking this long for the Cathedral renovations to be completed. Understandably there have been several mishaps and most likely miscalculations along the way. It’s too bad that the Government’s contribution was criticized or linked to political maneuverings. Of course,the Cathedral is a national monument, filled with historical significance, and the potential to be a tourist attraction.
As Catholics, we must be committed to the completion of this project. For those who are blasting the Vatican and the Pope, it would be best to refrain from making those baseless assertions. We are a local church and must support our own. When was the last time we saw European priests and nuns come to our country as missionaries? It is now our responsibility to take care of our own buildings. Who pays the salaries of the Catholic teachers? Back in the day before the government stepped in, teachers were paid $200/month with no retirement. We must take care of our own.
But wait nuh allyou do the maths and start counting since d-time MistaDem collecting Money from people,,,
To this Day!!! Mista Dem still telling people Give all your Estate and we will make a novena for you and yours ever Friday night!!!
According to the US State Department Vatican City GDP is based on Commercial Activity,,,
For Soh long Mistadem taking people money dey still want more money to come back to take More money from people???
And allyou still dere making all dat happen!!!
Whoever is the beggar he/she should have made the request during the next election. Wrong timing.
A church should be there to mainly to help those in the community who are gang through adversity. Give succour to be afflicted. Also, strive to keep peace and harmony in the society.
On vacation, I attended a church in New York. The offering plate was passed around with small envelopes. The members of the congregation were asked to give a monetary contribution to a charity of their choosing. You indicated the charity by writing the name on the envelope. I was happy to write the name of a soup kitchen I had seen in the area. I knew for sure that my money was going to a worthy cause.
The church preaches to honour God by giving. Ironically, the church gives nothing.
Just how much was in your envelope? $1.50? What a shame? How much have you contributed to the rebuilding of the Cathedral?
Isn’t that the same church where the Jesuits priests brought the first Kalinago and African people they enslaved, blessed by the famous Vatican orders?
He has to give them that jumby (again). After all, Isn’t that why they created their ‘ministry of eclisiastical’ to legalize (not marijuana) those ‘blessings’?
A quick google search shows the Vatican is worth about 30 Billion (With a big B not a small b ) US dollars . I cannot even convert that number into EC it so big I dunno it, i’m a barefoot man I didnt go to school. So it’s really crucial that you will ask your flock who has to pay school feels, light, water ( look water going up), every 3 months bus going up, gas going up and all those other bills to put their “widows mite’ together to get 4 million to build them people church for them.
If there are faithful amongst you that really seeking “God” best allu stay at allu home and pray and read your bible. All these churches are just a bunch of money grabbers. What exactly the church doing with 30 BILLION usd? And if they have 30 BILLION usd, shouldnt it be put forth to build / repair churches? help the congregation? What it doing sit down in a vault? or an account collecting interest? Who spending that money? It’s clearly not the church that needs it….Food for thought.
But wait, the Grand Bay catholic church building is in need of repair as well. Mr Primè Minister, the building is also a monument, it is a historic building over 100 years of history.with over $6 billion somewhere in an account, let’s put the breaks on them 😀
The last paragraph is very dangerous because Roosevelt Skerrit should stay away.
Thousands of years before I was born I read in the Bible that David, a man after God’s heart wanted to build God’s temple, but God said no way and told us why:
“You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars; you shall not build a house in My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.” 1 Chronicles 22:6-8.
Boy I don’t know what God would say to PM Skerrit in 2024. What we all know is God is against blood money and Satan has destroyed so many lives and has the country under so much pressure and a serious spell. Remember Jesus described Satan as “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..” John 10:10
I don’t believe God wants Satan’s stolen wealth, Satan’s blood money and Satan’s destruction money to build house in his name. If our spiritual leaders want help from Satan then they are not building in God’s name but rather they building Satan’s house
When the most Evil man, most corrupt, most wicked politician in our history is giving large sums of tax payers money to build churches, what do you expect from the churches? No wonder most were damaged during Maria and all of them were the first ones to be closed during covid. Imagine God had no mercy on what they call God’s own house!!! Why? They were bought by unholy dirty money from a known evil and corrupt man. Man if God can’t build build his house ,can’t repair it after a storm and people have to depend on a corrupt man who thinks he is God , then shame on us and curse are we for the scripture says in Jeremiah 17:5
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Based on the trend I see in Dominica today, soon Skerrit will have us change the name of our churches to the China/ Skerrit friendship church. I might sound funny but it’s coming just as he changed pmh, where most of us were bone to China…
Government of Dominica, please fix the Roseau Library before giving money to any church! Education, wisdom and knowledge is more important than any religious brainwashing! Even Jesus Christ wanted to tear down the man made self-indulgent temple of his day! Jesus never preached in a church, always on a mountain, by the bay on a beach, in a field or park!
Call the Pope! Tell him to sell a ring or auction a painting and Roseau Cathedral done!
go to de Vatican
their bank account not brokes like mine
Skerrit think dat his earlier donation was from his own bank account?
he knows who run tings and can afford to give all you money
According to Skerrit ‘I stop giving churches money because even a couple of priest were saying that i want to influence the church….”
Skerrit in 2000 you could not buy a third hand car, you were dead broke like me, but in 2014 you had so much money, 💰💰💰💲💲💲you could donate EC$500 000.00 to a church? OMG!
I am speechles, 🤐🤐🤐🤐 just thinking of how in 14 years, you became so wealthy. So now in 2024 you must be competing with Elon Musk?💲💲💲💲💰💰💰💰. Those who criticised you are correct. All the churches are broke.That’s the reality in Dominica. If you can give to one church, you should give to all. And you are darn right too, at election time you gave the church FREE concert,🎶🎤🎻🎺🥁🎸. TELL them you don’t need them now to win election; 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏. GOOD FOR THEM. It’s not election season yet, so you dont have to go sit in any of the churches for any shack-shack head to fly off, and cause you to MAY TAY COUWEE Skerro! 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️!
@😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
Your last sentence has me 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄.Long time i had not laugh.
Give back the 500k the devil gave to you all before election in the name of donation. It pains me when men in thier desperation will let thier guard down. The church allowed itself to be used by the most immoral man in Dominica. That money in my own opinion was proceeds of illegal action and God will never be pleased. If my 19 year old son were to bring home a 100k without telling me where he got and I an not able to verify I would lock him up in the county jail myself. you guys have legitimized the fleecing of the State by the kleptocratic gov by accepting the 500k and Heaven is not pleased. the church will get funds when the worshipping public can afford to pay thier bills, take care of thier families and have disposable income for other things. you cannot ask for more money for a grossly mismanaged project from a wealth anemic society. why not ask Xi Jing Ping. he has a belt and road infrastructure plan for DA. you might get funds there.
Food million dollars is peanut change the Vatican. To ask the penniless parishioners t finance the restoration o the church plant is heartless. These followers of Jesus can’t even afford to provide two meals per day for themselves and their families.
Why is it that the church takes so much from the poor, and gives or does so little for society? I prefer to give what little money I have to the needy than to give to a multi billion dollar religious denomination.
A church is a hospital for sinners, not an ATM for men in long robes.
You must consider that most, if not all, their churches are in poor areas all over the world., the poor people have also been warned “it’s easier for a camel to go thru the eye of a needle than a rich man go to heaven” so that your people won’t even try to be like their plantation owner$, they made it biblical by conquest, bullying just like the Muslims.