At the closing mass held at Holy Family Primary School parishioners were reminded about the importance of looking out for those in need in their communities.

Parishioners traveled from seven parishes in the North, including Taveuni and Bua.

Last Sunday, in the Western Division, Catholics gathered in Lautoka. The celebration began with a Eucharistic procession from Shirley Park to the Church.

Then there was a open-air mass in the grounds of St Thomas Primary School.

Father Veremo Doverua was the presiding celebrant. All the priests in the division concelebrated.

Members of the Lautoka parish provided a meal for those from the visiting parishes. Each each community had been allotted a different task for preparing the food.

The Year of Mercy began when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica on December 8 last year.

Holy doors where opened in Cathedrals and designated churches throughout the world.

In Fiji, Archbishop Peter Chong opened the doors of mercy of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva on the eve of the third Sunday of Advent.

Three basilicas in Rome - St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major - were closed during special Masses held Nov. 13.

The Holy Doors at churches and basilicas around the world are also closing the same day.

The year will officially end on Nov. 20, the Solemnity of Christ the King, when Pope Francis will close the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica. It was opened on Dec. 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

Source

• fijisun.com.fj
• fijitimes.com
• catholicnewsagency.com
• Image: fijisun.com.fj

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

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

According to Archbishop Peter Chong, the head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, this is a non-negotiable principle and forms the basis of the church's position on the issue of the separation of religion and the state.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Sun

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

Kolikoli was charged with one count of rape and three counts of indecent assault following a complaint lodged by a 21-year-old on Feb. 24

Police prosecutors say further charges are to be laid for incidents dating back to 2004.

They said there were six victims in total.

The Magistrates Court in Tavua was told that Father Nemesio Kolikoli, 50, should be held in protective custody as tension was high in Vatukoula, where he served as parish priest.

Archbishop elect Father Peter Loy Chong said he was aware of the incident and has spoken to the priest concerned.

He said the church would let the law take its course but emphasised that sex abuse involving the clergy would not be condoned.

"We can't hide it. We don't want to hide it. Rape is an intrinsically evil act. If someone does wrong then they should be prepared to face the consequences," he said.

Father Chong said the Fiji Catholic church had learnt from history whereby the church had not dealt effectively with the priests involved in sexual abuse.

"We are not going to sweep it under the carpet. The Catholic Church has learnt that it is one scandal when the priest does wrong, and the second scandal is when the church does nothing about it."

Kolikoli is yet to enter a plea and has been remanded in custody until Tuesday when he will re-appear in court and the remaining charges are expected to be read.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• FBC
• China.cn.org
• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times

Fr Chong was born on January 30, 1961, at Korovou, Tailevu. He comes from a family of seven, three boys and four girls.

He undertook his priestly formation at Pacific Regional Seminary. Ordained in 1992 he was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Suva. He completed his studies at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University with a Doctorate in Theology.

As well as working in parishes Chong lectured at the Pacific Regional Seminary.

He is currently in the School of Theology at Santa Clara University, and is expected to return to Fiji this week.

He will be ordained archbishop early in 2013.

Chong will replace the present long serving Archbishop of Suva, 79 year old Archbishop Petero Mataca.

Mataca has expressed his gratitude to all the people of Fiji, Rotuma, Rabi & Kioa for their prayers & support during his time of leadership.

In 2009 Mataca tended his resignation on reaching the age on 75, as is required by Canon Law. However, according to custom, he could not leave his post until his successor has been identified and appointed.

Mataca was ordained to the priesthood in 1959 and was ordained bishop in 1974 and appointed archbishop two years later.

More recently, in 2008 and 2009, he assumed a more political role in Oceania, similar to that played by Desmond Tutu in South Africa.

He co-chaired, (along with Frank Bainimarama, head of a government from its coup of December 5, 2006), a "Council for Building a Better Fiji".

The council was made up of forty volunteers and had the task of to drawing up "People's Charter," a roadmap outlining the medium-term future for Fiji.

This roadmap set itself ambitious goals, suggesting far-reaching reforms. It addressed funding problems, corruption, and also ethnic divisions between the indigenous Fijians and people from India who have been living in Fiji for over five generations, where they mostly originally worked in the area of sugar cane.

The Council fell into disuse after the abrogation of the Constitution in April 2009.

Source

• News Pad Pacific.info
• News Pad Pacific.info
• The Fiji Times
• FijiVillage
• Zenit
• Image: Tawakilagi

The Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Marianas has entered its third year without a new bishop.

Rev. Fr. Ryan P. Jimenez, apostolic administrator for the diocese, said the CNMI will have a prelate "not in our time but in God's time."

"If anything, it's a lesson for us to wait patiently. It's hard but I guess that's where the Lord wants us to be at this time," he said in an interview.

Jimenez said the process of selecting a new bishop is long and begins with the Commonwealth's apostolic delegate in New Zealand.

"He is the pope's representative and he's the one doing all this work of inquiry and background check. He will be the one to let us know if there is a new bishop," he said.

Source

• Saipan Tribune
• Image: Cook Island News

Vicar General, Fr Beni Kaloudau, said the Catholic Church in Fiji welcomes the principle of equal rights to worship.

Kaloudau said that citizens made up different faith groups in the country which needs to be respected based on the different ethnicities and faiths of citizens as well as visitors to the Fijian shores considering the country's dependence on tourism.

Source

• Sina
• Image: Fiji Guide

A release from the church said the Ministry of Health was partnering with them to combat the increasing numbers of teenage pregnancies and related issues.

The event is aimed at both Catholic and non-Catholic youth all over Fiji and the church will be sponsoring youth to attend the seminars.

As part of the seminars, two priests, Father Walter Schu and Father John Paul, will speak on themes aimed at different clusters such as legal and medical practitioners, clergy, parents, teachers and those in everyday life.

Source

• Fiji Times
• Columban Lay Missionaries

Former radio personality Tukini Cama who was the spokesman for participants of the week long walk said on Sunday,the rain would not deter them.

"This is part of Holy Week," he said. "The crosswalk is an annual event and rain or no rain it still goes on."

The walk began with a mass at Lami Parish.

Mr Cama said 70 youths and 30 supporters from the Central Eastern region from Lomary to the greater Suva area, Natovi, Rewa and it serves the maritime regions like Lau and Lomaiviti.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times