Author: johnkersey

Educationalist, musician and clergyman.

San Luigi Gazette Notice 2012/13

On By johnkerseyIn San Luigi Gazette

ON THE TERRITORIAL RESTORATION OF THE ABBEY-PRINCIPALITY

The Abbey-Principality notifies all persons concerned of the following facts:

  1. Since its unlawful territorial dispossession by force on 2 August 1884, the Abbey-Principality has consistently called for the restoration of its former territory in the Fezzan.
  2. This is evidenced inter alia by the various editions of the Statutes of the Order of the Lion and the Black Cross (the Order was founded in 1883 and has a continuous history to the present day) which make this territorial restoration one of the explicit aims of the Order.
  3. The Abbey-Principality continues to protest at the occupation of its territory by others unlawfully and by force.
  4. The Abbey-Principality is the sole legitimate sovereign power in respect of its territory and does not recognize any occupying power, whether “Libyan” or otherwise, as exercising any form of legitimate rule over that territory.
  5. The Abbey-Principality remains committed to the resolution of its position through diplomatic and peaceful means in keeping with its commitment as a Catholic institution to a strict pacifism.

The following quotations are instructive:

“In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is the written statement of God’s slave Abu Bakr, the successor of Muhammad, the Prophet and Messenger of God. He affirms for you the rights of a protected neighbour, in yourselves, your lands, your religious community, your wealth, retainers, and servants, those of you who are present or abroad, your bishops and monks, and monasteries, and all that you own, be it great or small. You shall not be deprived of any of it, and shall have full control over it.” (Abu Yusuf, Kitab al-Kharaj, p. 79)

This is the protection which the servant of Allah, Umar ibn Al Khattab, the commander of the faithful extends to them (non-Muslims): “The safeguarding of their lives, property, churches, crosses, and of their entire community. Their churches are not to be occupied, demolished, or damaged, nor are their crosses or anything belonging to them to be touched. They will not be forced to abandon their religion, nor will they be harmed. None of the Jews will live with them in Illiya” (Jersusalem). (Tarikh At-Tabari, Volume 3, p. 609)

San Luigi Gazette Notice 2012/12

On By johnkerseyIn San Luigi Gazette

DUKEDOM OF SAIH NASRA

The Prince-Abbot has conceded the title of Duke of Saih Nasra to H.E. the Right Reverend Dom Klaus Schlapps, in recognition of humanitarian services. The title is granted for the lifetime of the holder with a special remainder permitting rehabilitation for his successor as Regent of the Regency of Lomar.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT REVEREND DOM KLAUS DIETER SCHLAPPS OPR, 1st DUKE OF SAIH NASRA Abbot General, Order of Port Royal; Prior, St Severin’s Abbey, Kaufbeuren, Germany; Honorary Canon, St Michael’s Cathedral, Anglican Church of Cameroon; Knight Grand Cross of The Sovereign, Knightly and Noble Order of the Lion and the Black Cross (L’Ordre Souverain, Chevaleresque et Noble du Lion et de la Croix Noire); Knight Grand Cross of The Sovereign, Chivalrous, Noble and Religious Order of the Crown of Thorns (L’Ordre Souverain, Chevaleresque, Nobilaire et Religieux de la Couronne d’Epines)); Almoner and Senior Chaplain, Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, Grand Priory of Carpathia, Kosice; Grand Prior, Ökumenische Bruderschaft des Heiligen Grabs zu Jerusalem, Wettingen CH; Superintendent  und Intl. Director  International Green Cross Organisation (IGCO); Honorary President, Förderverein Santa Rosa de Lima e.V., Kaufbeuren; Regent, Regency of Lomar; Shufai Ngaibunri, Kingdom of Nso, Cameroon; Grosses Verdienstkreuz, Freundeskreis Hoch- und Deutschmeister Mannheim; b. 1959 deac. 1986 pr. 1987; monastic profession 1990; educ. seminaries in Germany and New Zealand.

Arms: (Not currently matriculated)

San Luigi Gazette Notice 2012/10

On By johnkerseyIn San Luigi Gazette

ABBEY-PRINCIPALITY ENTERS INTO RELATIONS WITH THE REGENCY OF LOMAR

The Abbey-Principality has entered into reciprocal relations of co-operation with the Regency of Lomar, an international humanitarian organisation, under the Regent, Dom Klaus Schlapps, O.P.R., who has accepted the position of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs in the Abbey-Principality. Dom Klaus is Abbot-Bishop of an Old Catholic Cistercian congregation, the Order of Port Royal, with abbeys in Germany, Haiti and France and a Priory in the United States.

Omukama Kabalega named National Hero of Uganda by President Museveni

On By johnkerseyIn News

In 2009, Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro-Kitara, the benefactor of the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi, was named a National Hero of Uganda by President Museveni. The report from Uganda’s leading daily newspaper New Vision follows:

“KABALEGA NAMED NATIONAL HERO
Publish Date: Jun 10, 2009

BY BARBARA KAIJA AND ANNE MUGISA

OMUKAMA (King) Kabalega of Bunyoro was yesterday declared a national hero by President Yoweri Museveni and honoured with a three-gun salute for his nine-year resistance against the British colonialists.

Museveni and other dignitaries at the Heroes Day celebrations, who included the chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, laid a wreath on Kabalega’s grave in the mausoleum at Mparo Hill, the burial place for the Bunyoro royalty.

Museveni said Kabalega’s heroic resistance against colonialism was broken by disunity among Africans after the colonialists pitted them against each other.

The British employed a divide-and-rule strategy which saw Africans fight Kabalega who was trying to fight colonial expansionism, he explained. The NRM fought its war in the footsteps of Kabalega and Mwanga, he added, that is why they named two of their units after them.

Museveni praised Kabalega, calling him far-sighted because he rejected the offer by Sir Samuel Baker to transfer his kingdom to be under Khedive Ismail of Egypt.

A total of 83 veterans and participants of the NRA liberation war were honoured with medals for their œcontribution to the political development of the country.

Three types of medals were given out at the celebrations on Boma grounds in Hoima town: the Nalubale Medal, the Luweero Triangle Medal and the Damu (blood) Medal.

Among those awarded were public service minister Henry Kajura, Matayo Kyaligonza, now ambassador to Burundi, former minister Baguma Isoke, presidential adviser Kasirivu Atwoki and Matia Kasaija, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs.

Gen. Elly Tumwine, who read out the names, said others were being compiled for recognition. He asked people to submit the names of those they believe should be awarded to the committee, headed by Prof. Mondo Kagonyera.

In his address, Museveni said the celebrations were meant to demonstrate that it takes heroes to create impact in society.

He stressed that not only the people who fought to liberate the country from tyranny were heroes, but also the peasants who supported them.

“I congratulate you for removing the fascist dictatorships which used the gun to monopolise power over society. Uganda now is no longer a pariah state.”

He noted there were many other patriotic Ugandans, such as the late Dr. Matthew Lukwiya who succumbed to Ebola while treating patients.

“We never fought because we loved to fight, but we needed to escape from the death knell in which we were trapped. Fighting was a means of last resort,” Museveni stressed.

He defended his patriotism campaign, arguing that the eight million primary school pupils need to be guided to love their country as a way of economic survival.

He scoffed at people who criticise the campaign, saying he was carrying out his constitutional duty.

“It is never too late to be patriotic because we all have a stake. Economic orientation should be regarded as a necessity for development”, Museveni said.”

San Luigi Gazette Notice 2012/07

On By johnkerseyIn San Luigi Gazette

MATRICULATION OF ARMS

ECCLESIA APOSTOLICA DIVINORUM MYSTERIORUM

The Chancellery has approved the matriculation of the following arms:

Quarterly azure and gules; 1st: the Papal Keys or; 2nd: an escallop or; 3rd: a Lamb of God (a lamb passant proper, with a halo or charged with a cross gules, and the dexter forelimb reflexed over a cross staff from which a pennon of St. George (Argent a cross gules) is flotant); 4th a staff proper surmounted by a fleur-de-lis supported by two crowned lions rampant combatant or. On an escutcheon of pretence or the arms of the Liberal Catholic Church.

The arms are supported by a winged angel and surrounded by a red, gold and ermine great mantle surmounted by a Crown of Thorns.

San Luigi Gazette Notice 2012/05

On By johnkerseyIn San Luigi Gazette

DUKEDOM OF GHÃT

The Prince-Abbot has conceded the title of Duke of Ghãt to H.E. Peter Gummersbach, Special County Chief (Ow’Isaza), 1st OEBKK, GCCK, KCLBC, KCT, HonEdD, Advisor to H.M. the Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara, in recognition of services to the Abbey-Principality. The title is hereditary and is granted with remainder to the heirs male of his body.

HIS EXCELLENCY PETER GUMMERSBACH, 1st DUKE OF GHÃT Special County Chief (Ow’Isaza lya Jamani) (Bunyoro-Kitara); Knight Grand Cross of The Sovereign, Knightly and Noble Order of the Lion and the Black Cross (L’Ordre Souverain, Chevaleresque et Noble du Lion et de la Croix Noire); Knight Grand Cross of The Sovereign, Chivalrous, Noble and Religious Order of the Crown of Thorns (L’Ordre Souverain, Chevaleresque, Nobilaire et Religieux de la Couronne d’Epines)); Grand Chancellor and Knight Grand Cross, The Most Honourable Order of Omukama Chwa II. Kabalega (Bunyoro-Kitara); Order Governor – Grand Priory/Chapter Germany, The Most Honourable Order of Omukama Chwa II Kabalega (Bunyoro-Kitara); Hereditary Omukungu, Royal Order of the Engabu (Bunyoro-Kitara); Knight Commander, Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Georgia; Commander, Royal Order of the Crown of Jaffna, Arya Cakravati Dynasty –Royal House of Jaffna- “Yaalpaanarasu Mudi Viiraththiruththakaiththokuthic Cinnam (YMVC)”; Knight of the Grand Badge, Order of Queen Tamar, Georgia; Knight, Patriarchal Order of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem; Advisor of H.M. the Omukama, H.M. the Omugo, the Royal Government, the Ministers and the Supreme Council of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom; ex officio Member of the Supreme Council; Representative of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom in Germany; President, “Association of the Representatives of the Kingdom Bunyoro-Kitara worldwide! (ARKBK) CLBG”; Chargé d’Affaires en République Fédéral d’Allemagne (Académie Diplomatique Africaine, ADA); Chairman, “Association for Humanity for the Banyoro”, NPO; Primus-Vice-President, Royal Academy of Aristocracy (RAA), Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom; is 18th feudal Baron of Burford, Shropshire, England; Hon.Ed.D, Universidad Internacional, Panama.

Arms: Per pale, 1st – Azure an Eagle displayed Or charged on the breast with a Royal Drum of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Proper, 2nd – Or between two Fleur-de-lis Azure a Fess Gules charged with a Rose Argent seeded Or, The shield is encircled with the chain of office as Grand Chancellor of the Royal Order of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom.

Crest: Upon a helm, wreathed and mantled to Dexter Gules doubled Or, to sinister Azure doubled Or, a demi-lion Sable armed and tongued Gules; decorated with a coronet as Duke of the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi and as hereditary Omukungu of Bunyoro-Kitara

Motto: “Cum Deo pro Pax et Iustitia” – “With God for peace and justice.”

Orders: Enclosed the shield is surrounded with the chain of office as Grand Chancellor of the Royal Order “The Most Honourable Order of Omukama Chwa II. Kabalega” of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom; a national hero of the Kingdom and the Republic of Uganda. Furthermore, various orders are shewn.