The reguregu (cultural expression of condolences) and veiqaravi (presentations) for Archbishop Petero began at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lami on Tuesday afternoon.

The Church was well prepared to host the hundreds of people, numerous delegations and dignitaries that came to pay their final respects.

On Tuesday Vicar General Father Suluo Turagakacivi said many parishioners, as well as other denominations, had already presented their reguregu.

A government delegation led by the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama presented their ireguregu on Wednesday on behalf of the people of Fiji.

Fr Turagakacivi said the Pacific Bible Society, the Pacific Council of Churches, parishes within the Central/Eastern Division and many other religious, corporate and NGOs had come to pay their final respects.

The interim president Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca and other church ministers and women were among the many who gathered to bid their last respects on Wednesday.

Methodist Church secretary for communication Reverend James Bhagwan said representatives of clergy and lay members in the Methodist Church from the 14 divisions of the 56 divisions in the Methodist Church paid their traditional respects at the reguregu.

Relatives of the late Archbishop from his village in Vuaki, Yasawa, Catholic Teacher's Association, Western Region Parish, Northern Region Parish and the Tui Suva also presented their i-reguregu on Wednesday.

Most of the churches within the Central/Eastern Division have had purple cloth draped over the property as a sign of mourning and preparations are well underway to host those that are still expected to come in," said Catholic Church communications officer Leca Vunibobo.

"Those coming in from outside Viti Levu have to arrange for their own accommodations and most are using other parish facilities for the duration of the funeral."

On Thursday afternoon the funeral cortege, led by the St Thomas High School band and the St Michael Association (Police, Army, Navy, Prison) left Suva Private Hospital, in a solemn for the Cathedral.

Students from Suva's Catholic Schools formed guard of honour along Amy, Holland, Selbourne & Pratt Streets.

People joined the students forming the guard of honor along the route and then follow procession to the Cathedral.

All church members joining the procession were dressed in black, white or combination of of those colours

Sergeant Usaia Turagaiviu was the medal carrier, walking behind the hearse, bearing all the Archbishop's civilian decorations.

Archbishop Petero lay in state in the Cathedral until the Vigil Mass which began at 6pm.

Bishop Brown, from Hamilton New Zealand was the celebrant, Fr Beniamino Kaloudau. concelebrated with him.

After the mass eulogies were given and all night parish-rostered vigil took place.

The Resurrection Mass will be celebrated on today (Friday) at 10am.

Vunibobo said it was encouraging to see the number of interested Catholics who had been devoting their time to participate in the choir practice for the resurrection service.

However, because of the limited space available in the Cathedral, the choir masters from each parish have been asked to nominate those who will be participating in the mass.

Viewing-screens have been set up outside and in the crypt so the ceremony can be viewed by those unable to get into the Cathedral.

Pratt & Murray streets which are adjacent to the Cathedral will be closed from 8.30am to 3pm, so the road can used for public seating/standing .

A St.Thomas High School student will play the Last Post on Friday before the entombing.

The ceremonies will be televised on Sky Pacific TV and a delayed coverage later in the evening.

Live streaming will also be available for overseas viewers.

It is expected that President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Ret) Voreqe Bainimarama, government officials and leaders from the Fiji Council of Churches and leaders of other religious organisations will be invited to the funeral service.
Source

• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• FijiVillage.com
• The Fiji Times
• Image: FBC

"It is a christian colour representing mourning the other time we use this purple colour is during lent but it is a solemn not so much jovial occasion it is a symbolic of sorrow of mourning and just a low key kind of solemnity as opposed to a joyous kind of colour," said Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.

The funeral gathering will be held at Lami Parish.

The reguregu, where all the friends and extended family come to pay their respects, begin on Tuesday 8 July 2014 at 2pm.

The Vigil Mass will be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Thursday evening 10 July 2014 at 6 pm followed by an all night Vigil.

The Resurrection Mass will be held on Friday 11 July 2014 at 10 am followed by the burial.

Archbishop Mataca will be the first ever Fijian Archbishop to be buried at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

"For us this is a historical point where we move away from the old Bishops tomb in Cawaci in Ovalau and moving into Suva.

"It's convenient because out there in Cawaci its hard for friends and relatives to visit the tomb."

He will be entombed in what we are now calling a new bishop's tomb which is a room — an extension under the Sacred Heart Cathedral," Chong said.

"We are continuing a long tradition which goes back to early Christianity and that is to bury archbishops under the cathedral that they serve in."

Previous bishops, Charles Joseph Nicholas and Juilen were buried in Cawaci.

The last Bishop to die, Victor Foley died in San Francisco and is buried there.

Mataca's immediate predecessor, Archbishop George Pearce retired in 1976 and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• FBC
• Fijione
• Supplied: Fr Michael O'Connor

The comments were part of a message of condolence offered to the Catholic Church in Fiji on the death of he late Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca.

The late Archbishop was a great man who gave ordinary people the strength to battle difficulties without prejudice or malice, he said.

"His contributions to Fiji as the head of the Catholic Church over the years provided strength to the ordinary. His soft but reasoned advice will continue to echo in the minds of all those who were in contact with him."

Arya Samaj (Noble Society) is a Hindu reform movement.

The Fiji Branch was was the first religious, cultural and educational Fiji Indian organisation established in Fiji.

From its inception, in 1904, it attracted the young, educated and progressive Hindus.

The modern day Arya Samaj in Fiji still speaks out on issues affecting its members and its activities are visible through the numerous educational

institutions that it manages.

THE Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA) has also paid tribute to late Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca saying he had a clear voice of authority whose steady and consistent leadership would be sorely missed in a nation that needed it all.

The ECREA message stated that even in his old age, Archbishop Mataca remained a committed member of ECREA's Sustained Dialogue for the Heads of Christian Churches in building and rebuilding relationships in Fiji.

"In his dedication and commitment, we saw the revival of the Fiji Council of Churches," it stated.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Wikipedia
• The Fiji Times
• Image: Columban.org.au

"He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every Fijian," said the Prime Minster of Fiji, Voreqe Bainimarama, in his message of condolence.

"Every Fijian joins me in mourning the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca, the former head of the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji. He was a towering figure in the church and the wider community, serving as the Archbishop of Suva for a remarkable 36 years."

"Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always prepared to take a stand for what is right. I came to deeply appreciate his personal qualities when he and I co-chaired the National Council for Building a Better Fiji. We shared a vision of a nation in which a common and equal citizenry work hand in hand for the common good and I deeply valued his commitment and support as we strove to meet that common objective."

"It is sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first genuine democracy that he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after our General Election in September. But when it happens, it will be in large part because of the building blocks he did so much to set in place."

"I will never forget his courage in standing up to the forces of division in Fiji, nor the great moral authority he exercised as Archbishop for the common good. As I mourn his passing, I renew my commitment to achieve Archbishop Mataca's vision for our beloved nation."

"He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every Fijian. And those are the principles on which a better Fiji is being built."

Dans un communiqué de condoléances, mardi, le Premier ministre Franck Bainimarama a rendu un vibrant hommage à un « homme d'une grande intégrité, toujours prêt à s'engager pour ce qui est juste .

"Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae said Mataca has contributed immensely towards the development of the country and religion"

"Mataca had lived a life dedicated to service of God, and was passionate about social justice and addressing the needs of the under-privileged," he said

Pihaatae said that under his leadership, the Roman Catholic church made significant contributions to national development including the building of 12 secondary schools.

He added Mataca would be remembered for the emphasis he put on localising positions within the local church at a time when Fiji was taking its initial steps as an independent nation.

Acting general secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji Rev Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa said Mataca "was committed to the ecumenical movement and understood that the journey of searching for visible unity of the Body of Christ was a long road that required a patient and loving heart."

"In the times when the church in Fiji was able to speak with one voice, he was with us. In the times when we could not find our common voice, he held his hand out in friendship." and reconciliation."
Source

• The Jet
• FBC
• The Fiji Times
• NewPad-pacific
• Image: NewsPad-pacific.info

His successor, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said "We thank him for his tireless commitment and in his own words we say: Sa dre ko Malolo. It is time to say goodbye. Eternal Rest Grant to Him O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May His Soul Rest in Peace."

Chong said the Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma has come a long way under Archbishop Mataca's guidance over the past 40 years.

Mataca was was born in Cawaci, Ovalau, on April 28, 1933.

He was educated at St. John's College in Levuka.

Mataca was ordained a priest on 20 December, 1959.

In December 1974, he was ordained the first iTaukei bishop in an event which signified a historical turning point for the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji.

Following his ordination as Bishop and later when he became the Archbishop of Suva in 1976, Mataca continued to be an ardent advocate of the concept of local Church.

"He was a man dedicated to the task of leadership and visitation and he has earned deep respect from all churches and ethnic groups in Fiji," said Fr. Michael O'Connor, the Rector of the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva.

"Taking over soon after the [Second Vatican] Council he was charged with implementing the Council and continuing the work of translating begun by Archbishop Pearce."

"He often spoke of his ideal that the church should be self governing, self supporting and self ministering."

"In particular he encouraged vocations and supported the seminary."

"He called a synod with the intention that there be more participation of laity in various church committees and he strongly encouraged reliance on local resources rather than appealing overseas."

O'Connor said the coups put a stop to his plans.

Source

• Supplied. Fr. Michael O'Connor sm
• Press release. Archdiocesan Curia in Suva
• Image: Anglican Taonga

He will become the 6th Roman Catholic Bishop of Fiji

Loy Chong is currently in the US for his graduation where he will receive his Doctor in Theology at the St Clare University.

An American priest, Father Robert McCann, in whose parish Loy Chong lived while earning a doctorate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, has noted the comparative rapidity with which his own Bishop, Michael Barber, is about to be ordained Bishop of Oakland - just one month after being named.

"This is amazingly fast," McCann wrote, noting that Loy Chong was named a bishop last December.

One of the presiding bishops at Loy Chong's ordination will be the man he is succeeding, Archbishop Petero Mataca, who was ordained Archbishop in 1976, and has served as Bishop for 38 years.

Mataca will be joined by Archbishop John Dew of Wellington, Bishop Sowane Mafi of Tonga.

There is also likely to be a representative from the Vatican attending ceremony.

Amongst the invited guests are the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, government ministers, church leaders from religious organizations and civil society leaders.

The ordination be in the Vodafone Arena and more than ten thousand people are expected to attend.

Source

• FijiVillage.com
• National Catholic Reporter
• FBC
• FBC
• Image: Santa Clara Magazine

The submission has recommended a provision for a proposed draft Education Decree to be harmonised to recognise the international value of a parent's right to choose an education for their children.

The submission also recommended the recognition of the management of education institutions, which maintained their special character, in fostering respect for our diversity, and the development and sustainability of our democracy into the future.

Mataca said the mission of education was the integral formation of the human person.

It was much more than teaching children pure sciences, social sciences, mathematics, the English language and vernacular languages, he said.

"Education on values, diversity, tolerance and respect, justice, freedom and the rule of law are crucial."

"Our experiences of coups and social disruptions in the past 34 years indicated this need but also highlighted the lack of appreciation of the special character that cultures and religions contribute to the education of our people."

"In this regard, the government of the day must also recognise the special character of cultural and religious education institutions and the enormous benefits these have to strengthening a deeper appreciation of our diversity."

The Archbishop's submission also contained recommendations on land tenure, the role of the church in politics, and the environment.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times

The ordinations took place in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva on Sunday 22 April.

The six men are studying to become priests. The Fijians are training for the Diocesan priesthood while the Solomon Islanders are to be priests of the Society of Mary.

The Archbishop told the newly ordained that they were on their way to priesthood and he would be praying for them to arrive at their destination.

After the ordination, one of the deacons, Oliva Navoli Vudivou, explained that he had to meet many requirements during his training period.

"During and after the seven-year training, we are constantly assessed by our superiors and the people we serve," he said.

"Our performances, how we interact with the congregation, spiritual and physical life, how one conducts himself every day these things along with many others are assessed."

Source

• The Fiji Times - Ordination Service
• The Fiji Times - Interview with one of the Deacons
• Image: Roman Catholic Vocations