Archbishop Gullickson in conversation with Fr Roland Quesnel CSSp and Edwina Leacock, permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photos courtesy Trinidad Express

Archbishop Gilbert with Secretary General of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, Gerard Granado and Felipe Noguera

On Friday, April 18 the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Thomas Gullickson hosted a double celebration on the grounds of the Nunciature.

Members of the clergy and religious, lay men and women who work in the Church, leaders of ecclesial communities, representatives of religious faiths, government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps gathered to raise a toast to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the third anniversary of his election as Pope and to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and the Holy See.

In his short address Archbishop Gullickson made special mention of Sir Ellis Clarke, one of the specially invited guests, who was President of the Republic when diplomatic relations were established with the Holy See.

He thanked everyone for accepting the invitation to celebrate with the representative of the Pope in Trinidad, making special mention of the Members of Parliament and Speakers of both the House and the Senate.

In her address Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paula Gopee-Scoon commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago particularly in the fields of education and social justice