There is a real fear of violence in Samoa over Toaipuapuaga Opapo Soana’i,’s claim to have received the stigmata according to Michael Field. Field is a respected and long-time commentator on Pacific Affairs. On RNZ last Friday he said there had already been instances of theft, arson and vandalism believed to related to the issue. Field Read more
The prime minister of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, has accused the Methodist Church in that country of being a mouthpiece for the opposition Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA). The church’s general secretary, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa, has responded by saying the church leaders would see the Prime Minister and “sort things”. Mr Vakadewavosa said the church Read more
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta’s first Christian governor, has conceded defeat to Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim and former government minister in a vote seen by many as a test of Indonesia’s secular identity. “It’s a challenge for Indonesia’s democracy,” said Bonar Tigor Naipospos, vice chairman of the executive board of the Setara Institute for Democracy Read more
Fijian Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa used Easter as an opportunity to call for Fiji to safeguard religious freedom in Fiji. “Fiji must be committed to safeguarding and upholding this fundamental human right, by defending the right of every citizen to practise Christianity or any other religion at home and abroad.” Kepa said Easter was a Read more
Archbishop Michael Byrnes issued pastoral letter last month asking the Neocatechumenal Way to put a one-year pause on the formation of its new communities on Guam. He also asked them to celebrate Mass in accordance with the Catholic Church’s general instructions and norms. Byrnes said he intends to appoint a priest delegate to review the Read more
99 men charged over the killings of seven people, whom they believed were practising sorcery, appeared in Court in Papua New Guinea on March 23. Earlier on 122 suspects had appeared in court charged with wilful murder – in relation to the same incident in April 2014.he suspects were detained at Gusap police station and Read more
A lot of Samoan people are saying it is getting hard to earn enough to support their families. 21-year old Fereti Maiava wants to plan his future and that of his young family properly. He told Village Voice that family and church obligations are a big problem. “When it comes to family faalavelave, church and Read more
Tonga’s Cardinal Mafi is recovering in Auckland after he was rushed to the Middlemore Hospital last weekend. On Monday night the Counties Manukau Health Board said Mafi’s condition was stable His condition is not believed to be serious and he will probably be discharged in the next day or so. A spokesperson from the Catholic Read more
The Catholic Church in Fiji has in place a policy on misconduct and sexual abuse, says Roman Catholic Church Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong. He stated this during an interview by this newspaper after being questioned on few cases where Catholic priests were reported to have molested women in the past. Continue reading
Caritas coordinators from 19 Catholic Dioceses of the Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea oppose the decision to experiment with seabed mining. The group have issued a statement saying the negative impacts of the mine greatly outweigh the anticipated benefits. “Therefore, in solidarity with Alliance of Solwara Warriors, Bismarck Ramu Group, and other concerned organisations, Read more