Philanthropist Welsh businessman Mr Albert Gubay has been presented with a rare Papal Knighthood from Pope Benedict XVI by the Archbishop of Westminster at St Anthony's Catholic Church in the Isle of Man on 23 February.
During the 30-minute service of Thanksgiving the Archbishop of Westminster, The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols presented 82-year old Albert Gubay with a Papal Knighthood.
The Knight Commander with Star of the Sacred Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great, an award bestowed by the Pope which dates back to 1831, is given for conspicuous service to the Catholic Church and to society.
An immense honour
When he learnt of the Papal Knighthood, entrepreneur Mr Gubay said: “I am humbled by this immense honour from the Church and can only hope that my example encourages others to use their wealth for good causes.”
Inside the church it was standing room only as family, friends, business colleagues, and senior figures from the Government of the Isle of Man, led by Lieutenant Governor, Sir Paul Haddacks, came to pay tribute to Mr Albert Gubay's extraordinary generosity and philanthropic work on behalf of the Catholic Church and to society.
Mr Gubay has set up the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation to provide a minimum of £20 million per year for charitable causes, with 50% of this sum going to the Catholic Church. His ambition is for the Foundation to be worth at least £1 billion on his death
Archbishop Nichols was accompanied on the sanctuary by Bishop Tom Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, Monsignor Michael McKenna, Parish Priest of St. Gregory's Church, Weld Bank, Chorley, and Fr Philip Gillespie, the new Parish Priest of St Anthony's.
Archbishop Nichols, who was making his first visit to the Isle of Man since he was a young priest in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, gave the Homily. He said: 'It is such a joy for us all to be gathered here today. We want so much to express our thanks and esteem to Albert, Carmel and all their family and friends. The occasion is beautiful, as we enjoy the setting of this lovely church, itself a tribute to Albert’s generosity and to his capacity for hard physical work.'
Archbishop Nichols said that The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, the Archbishop of Liverpool had wanted to be present, but had written a letter to Mr Albert Gubay, expressing his joy at the Papal Knighthood.
He continued: 'In the reading we have heard St Paul (writing to the Romans) encouraging us to be active and generous in playing our part, our different parts, in the ‘life of the Body’. We all know something of Albert’s early prayer, as he was starting out as an entrepreneur – though that might not have been the word he used. But it was a transforming prayer, one that gave a far deeper purpose to everything that he consequently achieved and goes on achieving. In everything he does, there is God’s purpose to be kept in mind. That is remarkable and, in some ways, quite astonishing in today’s world. But St Paul tells us: ‘Do not be conformed to this world’.'
A deal with God
During the summer of 1997, Mr Albert Gubay told an RTE television documentary that he had made a '50-50' deal with God, promising, when he was younger and penniless to give half his estate to the Roman Catholic Church, if he succeeded in becoming a millionaire.
Mr Gubay, a Rhyll-born businessman, laid the foundations of what was to become the Kwik Save supermarket chain when he set up Value Foods in Prestatyn in 1959. He turned Kwik Save into a well-known high street name which he sold in 1973 for £14 million. He founded the Total Fitness Empire which he sold before he moved to the Isle of Man where he became involved in property development.
Speaking directly to Mr Albert Gubay, the Archbishop of Westminster said: 'Albert, your generosity – thoughtful, intelligent, measured yet seemingly boundless – is a great sign of the generosity of God. This is so because you make it clear that you expect no public acclaim, no list of honours, no fanfare of trumpets. You are generous because God is first generous to you. And that is your great lesson to us all today.'
A rare award for rare generosity
'Like Archbishop Patrick Kelly, I am so honoured to be able to convey to you today this award which comes from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Everyone here today treasures the thrilling memories of his recent visit to the UK. I’m only sorry that his programme could not include the Isle of Man!
'This is a rare award, yet entirely appropriate for yours is a rare generosity, one that will continue to benefit the efforts in the service of others not only of the Catholic Church but of many other beneficiaries, for many, many years to come.'
Fr Philip Gillespie, Parish Priest of St Anthony's, Onchan, read the citation from the Holy See out loud in Latin. When he had finished speaking, Archbishop Nichols placed his hand on Mr Gubay's shoulder and said: 'It means well done!'
Archbishop Vincent Nichols then presented Mr Albert Gubay with the insignia of Knight Commander with Star of the Sacred Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great.
Mr Albert Gubay appeared emotionally overcome and momentarily lost for words. Archbishop Nichols said: 'I hope that this may encourage other people in Britain in Mr Gubay’s position to see their way to creating charitable foundations.'
Television crews from BBC and Granada, together with local media, covered the ceremony at the end of which Archbishop Nichols tied the Papal insignia round Albert's neck. Mr Gubay then allowed himself a rare moment in the spotlight together with his wife Carmel and Archbishop Nichols, while the photographers recorded an historic moment in the life of the Catholic Church on the Isle of Man.
The children's choir of St Mary's Primary School, Douglas, capital of the Isle of Man, gave up leisure time during their half-term holiday to come to the church with their parents and teachers to take part in the service.
Mr Gubay spoke briefly during a private buffet reception for about 200 guests at Mount Murray Hotel. He expressed an emotional and heartfelt thank you to many people, but most especially to his wife Carmel. Mr Gubay built the Mount Murray hotel complex - the biggest on the Island - and golf course during the late 1980's.
Notes:
For further information regarding the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, please contact its Chairman, John Nugent at: john.nugent@westiom.com
