(Trinidad Guardian) The Government has donated TT$2 million to the Catholic Church for the restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port-of-Spain. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar presented the cheque to Port-of-Spain Archbishop Rev Joseph Harris yesterday at Mount St Benedict St John’s Road, St Augustine, as the monastery celebrated 100 years in T&T.
Present at the event was National Security Minister Jack Warner whom Mount St Benedict Abbot Fr John Ferreira said was a regular worshipper there. He said it was unusual to see Warner sitting in the front pew since he always sits at the back. After a Jesus-centred service, the Prime Minister delivered an address to the congregation in which she announced to loud applause that the $2 million was for repairs for the cathedral which was in a state of disrepair.
There is structural damage to the 159-year old building and 23 key areas have been identified for urgent repairs, including the roof and bell tower, she said. The cathedral is one of the oldest in the English-speaking Caribbean, which was raised to the dignity of a minor Basilica in 1857, and is a treasured historical landmark, she said.
Persad-Bissessar called on the public at large to support fund-raising initiatives for the church’s repairs. “The People’s Partnership is prepared to do its part to support this most worthwhile endeavour and so I am pleased to present His Grace, the Archbishop of Port-of-Spain a cheque for $2 million towards the restoration of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception,” she said.
“Our objective is clear. We want to ensure that we continue to support the good work that is being done by our fellow national stakeholders like the Roman Catholic Church and other religious groups and bodies.” Harris said restoring divinity to the sacred place of the cathedral will help citizens have more respect for each other and will certainly lead to a change in the behaviour of the nation.
Speaking on the celebration of the monastery’s 100 years, the PM said it was a place where many of all faiths, including herself, have found peace, solace and renewal. “From my own experience, I can tell you that whenever one comes to Mount St Benedict, one feels embraced and emboldened by the true presence of divinity. It really feels like arriving at the stairway to heaven.”
Persad-Bissessar said when she was appointed attorney general in 1995, it was a troubling time for her and she went to Mount St Benedict and found peace. “The various religious communities, especially the Catholic Church, are friends of society, social partners and strong moral guides for the State. The People’s Partnership Government recognises and values the presence of the church in our landscape of plurality and governance,” she said.
