Re: Royal Order of Francis I

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (P Wood) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> Some of you may have noticed in Catholic media recently a report of an
> investiture at Westminster Cathedral - herewith one quote, from
> Independent Catholic News. I would be interested in hearing views
> about the mix of honours conferred, and if there really was a message
> from The Queen.
> 
> "The Archbishop of Canterbury received one of the top honours awarded
> by the Catholic Church in a ceremony at Westminster Cathedral today.
> 
> Dr Rowan Williams is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to be made
> Knight Grand Cross ­ the highest grade of the Royal Order of Francis
> I. The award is for developing and encouraging dialogue between
> Protestants and Catholics both in his time as Archbishop of Canterbury
> and in his previous positions.
> 
> Others who received awards, included Northern Ireland secretary Paul
> Murphy, who was made Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order
> of St George, for his work promoting peace in Northern Ireland. Former
> Chief of Defence Staff General Lord Guthrie received the Knighthood of
> the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. Baroness
> Thatcher was made Dame Grand Cross, the highest honour of the Royal
> Order of Francis I, for lifetime work towards inter-faith dialogue.
> 
> The Passage homeless centre was among those recognised for
> contributing to the life of the Catholic Church and supporting
> charities and humanitarian initiatives.
> 
> The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor,
> Archbishop of Westminster, and Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda - the
> most senior cardinal to visit Britain since the Pope's visit in 1982.
> 
> Among those who sent messages of support were the Queen and Prime
> Minister Tony Blair.
> 
> Mr Blair said the aim of fostering dialogue between Christians, Jews
> and Muslims was "an integral part to strengthening cohesion between
> our communities".
> 
> "I am proud that Britain is a country of many faiths and many cultures
> and that this diversity is seen by the overwhelming majority of decent
> people as one of our country's strengths," he said. "

The best and perhaps the only suitably qualified person to anwser this
one , if he has time to do so is Guy Stair Sainty.

Harold Nixon