Fr. George Clements, the world renowned and most decorated priest of all time is expected to be one of the featured Guest Speakers at the Annual R.E. Cooper Sr Meritorious Service Award Presentation & Investiture at Government House on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 5:00 PM.. Many might remember the movie, The Fr. Clements Story which starred Academy Award winner Lou Gosset, Jr., Malcolm Jamal-Warner and Carroll O'Connor, that featured the life of this outstanding man. Fr. Clements was the first priest ever allowed to adopt children after a tumultuous fight with the Roman Catholic Church that ended up with the Pope. He was finally given permission and he adopted four boys, who have gone on to productive lives. However, his story started from the Civil Rights Days and the March on Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fr. Clements played a prominent role in Civil Rights especially in his town of Chicago. His story went on to chronicle his many fights with the gangs and drug dealers of the south side of Chicago. These fights with the gangs ended up with his Church Holy Angels being burnt to the ground.

Fr. Clements escaped death many times as he was a target for the gangs, but his goal was to make a difference. He has been around the world many times, and invited on hundreds of TV shows. His home in Chicago is decorated with the many awards, plaques, certificates, keys to the city etc., that show how in demand he was for appearances all over the world.

Although he was considered a controversial person, Fr. Clements was also known as a man of honor. Following his fight with the Catholic Diocese in Chicago, he was sent to the Bahamas where he was Pastor of Resurrection Church of East Street South, for three years.

Fr. Clements considered his stay in the Bahamas one of the best times of his career. He went back to Chicago and then moved to Washington where he started several national organizations, most notably the One Church One Addict, which dealt with the drug effects on addicts and how to help them. He then went on to start One Church One Child that dealt with African American adopting; and One Church One Inmate to help with the many African American prisoners being moved back into society.

Once again, as has become a standard feature, this year’s observance will attract dozens of celebrities and personalities in town for the historic occasion as some 15 outstanding people will be honoured for their service in rendering service to others in various categories.

Fr. Clements has accepted the invitation to speak at the event and also to receive one of the Awards for his service to mankind. He will be joined by other top celebrities who will be announced later this month.

The Award will culminate a week of activities for all of the honorees which include a school assembly presentation, a meeting with high ranking officials, an ecumenical service, a private luncheon and of course the gala function at Atlantis.

Many of the outstanding honorees will be announced at a press conference later this month. According to Dr. R.E. Cooper, Jr., the keeper of the legacy of Dr. R.E. Cooper Sr, many of these honorees have done so much to help others, but yet have not been recognized for their contribution.

"We have looked at dozens of people who have done so much for our country and the world at large. Those with Bahamian connections have been mostly overlooked for any kind of recognition. True they may not be looking for any but, based on their compassion for others and the service that they have offered, we feel that they should be recognized", said Dr. Cooper.  To connect with what Dr. R.E. Cooper Sr. stood for, we have found it easier to select these individuals and publicly recognize them for their contributions to others".