In 2017, I was honoured with the dignity of Prince in the Royal Principality of the Upper Region of Hiran, Royal House Shikal, Somalia. The Principality has now further honoured me with the title of Honorary Vice-President.

I have been honoured to receive an Attestation of Merit from the Federazione Italiana dei Combattenti Alleati. FIDCA was founded in 1972 as an association of European ex-combatants and others who were supportive both of the European ideal and of the sacrifices of those who had sacrificed themselves for freedom. FIDCA was recognized as a distinct legal personality in Italy by Presidential Decree n.305 of 9/4/1986, and by means of DPR 27-2-1990, it was placed under the direct patronage of the Italian Ministry of Defense.

The citation reads, “As evidence of his activity within FIDCA and for the dissemination of our Principles of Solidarity, Freedom, Peace and True Brotherhood among all peoples near and far.”

I have been honoured to receive the distinction of Member of Honour of “Friends of The Gambia”. This is bestowed by the Minister Counsellor, Head of the Consulate General of the Republic of The Gambia in the Republic of San Marino and the Republic of Italy, Prof. Avv. Francesco Cristina of Santannera. The citation reads, “for the high value of his outstanding accomplishments to date permeated with humanitarian and solidarity examples for the entire Community.”

Having previously been made a Fellow of the Central School of Religion and successively Honorary Associate and then Fellow of its Faculty of Church Music, I was delighted to receive the degree of Master of Music from the School awarded ad eundem. The basis of this award is the degree of Master of Music that I received from the Royal College of Music in 1997.

Central School of Religion was founded and chartered as Central University in Indiana, USA, in 1896 to provide external facilities for those whose circumstances did not permit work at a residential college. In 1968, the University was revised, and only its religious programmes were continued as the Central School of Religion.

Central School of Religion has always borne witness to the unique and divine inspiration of Holy Scripture and is non-denominational in character. Members of many different churches are tutors, graduates or members of the School. The School continues to derive its degree-granting authority from its 1896 charter in Indiana, but since 1968 has also had a presence in the United Kingdom.

Central School of Religion in the United Kingdom functions as a theological society and offers diplomas in Theology (and related subjects) and Church Music. It is the aim of the School to follow as closely as possible the standards and practices of British universities. Degrees are conferred by the School in America upon the recommendation of examiners. Central School of Religion has never sought accreditation, but is a member of the Association of Centres of Adult Theological Education, a premier fraternity of theological colleges and institutions.

The School enjoys links with a number of colleges and academics. Tutors and examiners are recruited from all major Christian churches and hold recognised qualifications. Although there is no provision for the recognition of American degrees by the State in the United Kingdom for general purposes, and thus the degrees awarded by the School itself are unaccredited, the co-operation in scholarship achieved by the School is the accreditation most valued by its members who may be found in many areas of Christian service.

The School holds an annual Reunion in London which typically includes the presentation of academic awards, several academic talks, and the performance of music, usually with a sacred focus. This is followed by Choral Evensong.

I was responsible for writing a History of the CSR, involving research on both sides of the Atlantic, which was published in 2002 (European-American University Press). At that time, I had no formal affiliation with the School, and was interested in its history principally because it was one of the oldest purely distance learning institutions still in existence today. A paper later published with the History was devoted to the academic dress of the School.

I have been delighted to receive the distinction of Fellow of the School.

In 2014, I was appointed an Honorary Associate of CSR’s Faculty of Church Music. In 2021, I received the Fellowship of the Faculty of Church Music.

I have been honoured to receive the Officers’ Cross of the Prussian Order of the Eagle, which is organized as the order of merit of the Preussische Hilfskorps, a non-profit charitable body under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Philip Kiril of Prussia. I am grateful to the President of the Preussische Hilfskorps for his kind nomination.

I was honoured by the Centro Studi Accademici “Studiorum Popularis Universitas Ss. Petri et Pauli”, which conferred an honorary appointment as Academic Senator upon me. The Centro was incorporated in Florida, USA, as a religious institution in 2021, and was under the Presidency of Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Cortese of Italy. Sadly it was dissolved in 2022.

 

I have been honoured with the Attestato di Benemerenza with medal of the Federazione Italiana dei Combattenti Alleati. The attestation reads: “for the humanitarian commitment given on several occasions as aid and collaboration in the context of a high profile social and civil commitment during the Covid-19 Pandemic .”

I have been delighted to receive the International Honorary Presidency of the International Association for Financial Managers and Administrators and the Association of Chartered Professional Managers of Nigeria. Both of these institutions are recognized as professional associations by the Federal Government of Nigeria. I have also been appointed to the Fellowship of both institutions.

I have been honoured by the head of the Sovereign Royal Granducal House of Dalmatia (Val d’Ors), H.S.H. Prince Orazio Mezzetti, with the grant of the titles of Marquis of Maslinica and Honorary Cousin of the Royal House. Prince Orazio is in concordat relations with several of the institutions under my leadership, and is a Byzantine Imperial descendant. Previously, he had appointed me to the rank of Byzantine Patrician.

This was a promotion from my previous appointment in the Order.

The Norman Academy in Rome, Italy, of which I am an Academician of Honor, has further honoured me with an Attestato di Eccellenza in the sectors of Culture and Religion.

I have been honoured to receive the Medaglia Europea of the Federazione Italiana dei Combattenti Alleati. FIDCA was founded in 1972 as an association of European ex-combatants and others who were supportive both of the European ideal and of the sacrifices of those who had sacrificed themselves for freedom. FIDCA was recognized as a distinct legal personality in Italy by Presidential Decree n.305 of 9/4/1986, and by means of DPR 27-2-1990, it was placed under the direct patronage of the Italian Ministry of Defense.

The Medaglia Europea, or European Cross, is awarded after nomination from a participating organization both to ex-combatants and to supporters, remembering the service and sacrifice of those who fought not only for Italy but in the Allied cause all over Europe. This has a particular resonance for me since my maternal grandfather was killed in action in Belgium in 1945 while fighting for the Allies in World War II.

I have been honoured to receive an appointment of Associate Professor in History and Religion from the International Academy of St George, Wyoming, USA. The Academy is a nonprofit organization specializing in History, Heraldry, Chivalry and Ecumenical Religion.