Congratulatory Message from the Minister of Foreign Affairs
to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II

 Your Holiness,

             On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I wish to convey warmest congratulations on the occasion of your 25^th Anniversary as the spiritual leader of more than one billion Roman Catholics throughout the world.  This remarkable achievement is both enviable and noteworthy.

             Your Holiness’s sterling work in preserving the Church’s traditions and encouraging democracy and respect for human rights is unparalleled.  

             Bahamians recall with fondness the visit of Your Holiness to the Commonwealth in January 1979, and we consider ourselves to have been blessed by your presence so soon after your accession.

              May God continue to bless Your Holiness in the years ahead.

Yours sincerely,
Fred Mitchell                                                                                                                                  Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service

Happy 30th  Independence
Bahamas