The Pacific Conference of Churches condemn Japan for releasing radio active seawater into the Pacific Ocean. The water has been used to cool the damaged reactor at the Fukushima atomic power station. In a press release the general secretary Fe’iloakitau Tevi said “This irradiated sea water poses a lasting threat to Pacific ecosystems and the Read more
The Lowy institute has expressed concern about the Pacific nations’ growing indebtedness. The report surveys Pacific states for a breakdown of the aid and loans they have received from China. It states that China’s aid to Pacific nations over five years totals just over $NZ800 million. The bulk of China’s aid is through soft loans Read more
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr Paul Donoghue SM as Bishop of Rarotonga. Born in Auckland, Paul was ordained a priest in 1975. After ordination, Paul taught for some time at St Bede’s College Christchurch, before joining the Marist Oceania province. Paul currently serves as the Provincial Superior of the Oceania province. Prior to being Read more
Emeritus Bishop of Rarotonga who served there as Bishop for 14 years before retiring in 1997 has launched his autobiography “Truly Blessed – My Story.” In it he records the struggles and joys of his priestly life, sharing personal stories and experiences. Sr Patricia Leamy, SMSM, the Bishop’s sister, writes in the foreword: “During his Read more
The Namoli Framework, “Steering the Vaka of Hermeneutics in Oceania” is the name of the document drawn up at the meeting held in Fiji “Rethinking the Journey and Course of our Hermeneutics in Oceania”. It was attended by 82 people representing 24 member churches of the Pacific Council of Churches and 15 members of the Read more
Women’s networks in the Pacific are leading the way in the use of suitcase radios. It is hoped that a meeting of the first women-led Community Radio Consultation which began in Tonga on 6 April will pave the way for the establishment of the first suitcase radio in Tonga. Suitcase radios have been operating in Read more
At the Pacific Disability Forum Region Conference on 5 April Tariana Turia, New Zealand Minister of Disability Issues, used the Pasifika Church Disability Toolkit as an example of an initiative that helps to achieve needed changes with regard to the care of people with disabilities. The Pasifika Church Disability Toolkit is a resource which provides nourishment to the roots of the Read more
The campaign to stop the government legalizing casinos in Samoa has failed and construction of the first casino is expected to begin by June 2011. The Samoa Observer reports Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi saying: “The Casino and Gambling Act is passed so the only thing left is to implement it.” “All the necessary safeguards are in Read more
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) begins its 9th South West Pacific Ministers of Agriculture Meeting on 5 April in the Kingdom of Tonga, with food security and volatile food prices as key issues of discussion Participants will discuss the cause and impacts of high global price transfers, and appropriate policy actions to Read more
Tests in Port Moresby have confirmed a cholera epidemic in Bougainville, particularly the northern tip of Buka Island. Already 65 cases have been treated at the Lemanmanu medical command post. Fifteen cases required admission and have already been treated and discharged. The death toll still stands at two but the disease has spread across Gogohe Read more