VISIT OF CARDINAL POMPEDDA

Early day motion 1823, tabled 28 October 2003 by Jim Dobbin (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 15 members.

That this House notes that this year is the 1700th anniversary of the martyrdom of St George, Patron Saint of England and of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, which is one of the oldest internationally recognised Orders of Knighthood in existence today; welcomes the visit to the United Kingdom of the Order's Grand Prior His Eminence Mario Francesco Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prefect, HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, in this anniversary year; notes that Cardinal Pompedda is one of the most senior members of Sacred College of Cardinals to have visited the United Kingdom in recent years; hopes that he will enjoy his visit; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to use this momentous occasion to strengthen its relationship with the Vatican City State and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and to recognise the important and vital work which members of the Constantinian Order under its delegate Anthony Bailey undertake in promoting and defending the Roman Catholic faith, inter-church and inter-faith activity, and humanitarian hospitaller and charitable works throughout this country.

Signatures by party: Labour 8, Conservative 4, Liberal Democrat 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.