English Cemetery in Las Palmas: A cultural monument.

Photo: Juan Carlos Castro
The English Cemetery in Las Palmas  was solemnly rehallowed on Friday 2 March following a restoration undertaken and generously financed by the Canary Island Government, a work which cost a total of €91,000. The site was declared part of the cultural and historical patrimony of the island in 2010 as it is a focus of the history of the British families who since the early 19th century were key figures in Gran Canaria, in many cases contributing significantly to its economic development.
The Island’s Minister of Culture, Mr Larry Alvarez, together with other colleagues from the local government were present for the ceremony and is pictured above talking to Holy Trinity Churchwarden, Mrs Betty Burgess, and the Priest-in-Charge, Fr Peter Ford OGS.
It is not only the British who were buried here. There are a large number of graves of people from all over the world, signifying what a cross-roads the Canary Islands once were, due to intercontinental shipping lanes. In just a quick inspection I noted graves of missionaries, seamen, entrepreneurs, from Africa, Scandinavia, Asia and America. The cemetery is still in active use today.
Photo: ACFI PRESS http://www.acfipress.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Archbishop of Canterbury's Pentecost Letter: A European Consequence

Image
In his Pentecost letter, the Archbishop of Canterbury warned of certain consequences for provinces of the Anglican Communion which have failed to stand by the three moratoria . (No authorisation of blessings services for same-sex unions; no consecrations of bishops living in same-sex relationships; and no bishop authorising any ministry within the diocese of another bishop without explicit permission). One consequence would be that representatives from such provinces w ould not be able to participate in the formal international interchurch dialogues of the Communion. One of those dialogues is the Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council ( AOCICC ), the official instrument set up to deepen the relationship of communion established in 1931 between the Anglican Communion and the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht . As the member Churches of the Union of Utrecht are all European, the AOCICC is effectively a European body. (I am one of the members, appo...
Read more

Farewell to the Diocese in Europe

Image
Deacon Frances and I packed up our office yesterday and turned over our official files, emails and equipment. Thus a close working together for 22 years comes to an end. So it is hard to believe that today, St David's day, a new chapter begins, after 44 years of stipendiary ministry, 22 years as deacon then priest and 22 as a bishop.  Here are just a few memories from the last couple of months...   But now it is time to begin a new chapter.  O God, by whose command the order of time runs its course: forgive our impatience, perfect our faith and, while we await the fulfilment of your promise, grant us to have a good hope because of your Word,  even Jesus Christ our Lord. (St Gregory Nazianzus, 330 - 390)
Read more