BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS,APRIL 6TH 2011 (CUOPM) – As final preparations continued for Thursday’s State Funeral of the Federation’s First Governor General His Excellency Sir Clement Athelston Arrindell, GCMG, GVCO, Q.C., flags are being flown at half-staff and high ranking government officials and diplomats have been among those signing the Book of Condolence at Government Headquarters.
Sir Clements’s successor, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, GCMG, OBE, MD. CM, in a message of condolence said:
“God gave to this Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, a Governor- General who, to the very highest possibility, and to the very uttermost, always tried to act in a manner worthy of his high calling. He was indeed God’s creation of dignity and of ability. As a comment I must say quite simply that, as they did for Saint Peter the gates will always open of their own accord if one is in the company of God’s angels.”
“Therefore, though mourning the death, I honour and revere Sir Clements’s life. It is comforting to know that there was a definite place in the purpose of God for Sir Clement Arrindell. It gives greater meaning and dignity to Sir Clement’s life for us to realize that it is the working out of God’s own conception. Sir Clement gave to God his mind, so that God would turn into it God’s own thoughts. Sir Clement gave to God his heart, so that God would fill it with God’s own quality of love. Sir Clement gave to God his hands, his body, his entire being, so that through them God might fulfill God’s own will. Therefore may peace and comfort dwell in the hearts of Sir Clement’s relatives; and may Sir Clement Arrindell rest in peace,” said Sir Cuthbert.
Governor-General who signed the Book of Condolence at Government House, said the beautiful unfolding of Sir Clement’s life – his process of growth and his coming into his own empowerment is of no surprise to him.
“In his early youth, I maintained daily and close contact with him, for I was his teacher even before his Grammar school days. I therefore had the opportunity and privilege to observe the brilliant potential which the future has not failed to honour,” said Sir Cuthbert.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor, other Ministers of Government, Ambassadors, Senior Civil Servants and persons from all walks of life have been signing the Book on the ground floor of Government Headquarters.
The casket of Sir Clement will lie in State at Government House at Springfield on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. followed by the State Funeral Service at 3:00 P.M. at the Wesley Methodist Church. Interment is at the Springfield Cemetery.
ZIZ Radio and Television will carry a live broadcast of the State Funeral Service.
Meanwhile, public servants wishing to attend the State Funeral will be allowed to leave work at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday.
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