The Catholic Church, through Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, is making an appeal to the public and private sectors to make donations towards the re-roofing of the Roseau Cathedral.

Two years ago in August, a project was launched to meet a $2.5m target to have the roof refurbished because termites had taken over in certain areas and the rain created holes that allowed water to trickle through. To date, $750,000 has been collected from fundraising activities including dinners, tea parties, and donations from individuals in Dominica and abroad, and groups.

Bishop Malzaire told a May 30 press conference that the need to have the roof refurbished was more urgent than it appeared. He said while the Church was grateful for the assistance it had received so far, a lot more needed to be done in terms of getting the monies required.

A number of international donors have been solicited but the Church has not received responses. He said there was a need to continue to conduct fundraising activities and urged locals to continue to patronise the activities.

Gerry Aird, chairman of the fund-raising committee, Bishop of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire and Monsignor John-Lewis

According to the bishop, while it is all well and good that the international community participates, it is necessary for local persons to lend a hand. This will allow them to feel they are part of their church – one that is most probably the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

The cathedral, like many other Catholic churches, has a lot of significance. It is among other things the mother church of the diocese – the church where the Bishop sits.

The cathedral belonged to the entire diocese and it had to be maintained for all who come, stated Monsignor John Lewis. He said the church had to be kept in a suitable manner.

Businessman Gerry Aird, in his capacity as a chairman of the Fund-Raising Committee gave his word that the committee would continue all in its power to continue the efforts in raising funds for the purpose.

Claiming that it was a tremendous task, he said the longer it took to raise the money needed, the more expensive the project would become.

Currently, there are plans to have a Caribbean Food Fair and a Lebanese dinner. Aird said this was expected to bring in some extra earnings, but he encouraged citizens to continue in their efforts to assist the church.

( Dominica Chronicle)