Posted by 
Runins of the Roman Catholic Church, Portsmouth
Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency and new Minister for Tourism, Legal Affairs and Civil Aviation, Hon. Ian Douglas is of the view that the rebuilding of the Roman Catholic Church in Portsmouth destroyed by the earthquake of November 21, 2004 must be a national effort.
Hon. Ian Douglas made the remark at the launching of the Telethon/Radiothon for the rebuilding of the Church on the site of the ruins of the old Church in Portsmouth last week.
“This activity must be a community effort, this activity must be a national effort and that is why through me the Government is making its presence felt. And that is why the Prime Minister has consented to be one of the patrons on the 28th of October for the Telethon/Radiothon because we feel that the rebuilding of the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church must be a national effort,”
Hon. Ian Douglas emphasized. Hon. Douglas told guests at the short ceremony that the process of raising funds to rebuild the Church which was constructed in 1853 must be “a national undertaking because that is what the Church represents”.
The Parliamentary Representative also highlighted the resilience and single mindedness of the people of Portsmouth in their desire to see the church rebuilt and expressed his own optimism about the success of the rebuilding project. “We will in fact achieve that EC$2.5 million. Because we are a people of faith, we believe in faith, in the definition of faith, which is the evidence of things not seen but hoped for. I pledge Government’s support in whatever way possible towards the rebuilding of the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church,” Hon. Douglas concluded.
It has been revealed that so far $500,000 has been raised out of the total of $2.5 million that is needed. In the last three years a number of fund-raising activities, including dinners, breakfasts, bazaars and other social activities have taken place.
Meanwhile preparations are well advanced for the Telethon/Radiothon on Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 1pm to 6pm.
The activity will be broadcast live from the studios of SAT Telecommunications in Roseau and also carried live on Marpin Telecoms and Broadcasting and on DBS, Kairi and Q95 with live streaming on the internet.
The five hour activity will feature the Patrons for the rebuilding effort, Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and Bishop of Roseau, Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire.
Performances are also expected by the reigning Calypso King of Dominica, Hunter, Dominica’s First Lady of Song, Ophelia Marie, the Capuchin Cultural Group, Carlene Rolle among many other acts and performances.
Donations in aid of the rebuilding effort can be made by logging on to www.dioceseofroseau.org/Portsmouth.htm. Further information may also be obtained from Parish Priest, Fr. Herman Sharplis on 445-5218, Miss Jacqueline Douglas on 445-3353 and 277-8390 or Petronella Saverin-John on 445-5029 or 276-4246.
Donations by cheque can be made payable to ‘ Portsmouth Catholic Church Rebuilding Fund’ or by bank transfer to National Bank of Dominica Account #315000121; Swift code: NB- DMDMDM Via Citi Bank NY; Swift Code CitiUS33 or Lloyd TSB Swift Code Lloydgb2L
