Many religious, political and community leaders paid tribute to the tremendous efforts of the late Archbishop Jabez Bryce of the Anglican Church, the late Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca of the Catholic Church and the late Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu of the Methodist Church during the church service.

In an interesting twist, to celebrate the close relationship of the churches, speakers from the Methodist, Anglican, and Roman Catholic Churches each paid tribute to a leader who is not from their own community of faith.

Speakers talked about the ecumenical service that each former church leader had contributed in their various churches and in Fiji.

"The main point highlighted was the strong relationship or commitment that the three leaders had in supporting each other," said the Methodist Church's secretary for communication and overseas mission, the reverend James Bhagwan.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• thejournalofaspiritualwonderer.blogspot
• Image: cookancestry.com

"For on this day I will humbly serve you as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Suva, and through his (God's) light gather people of all races.

"In this ordination I urge you all to put aside racial, religious, political barriers and differences."

Thousands of people attended the ordination at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

Among those were the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, ministers, senior government officials and representatives from other religious organisations.

There were families, friends and church members from as far away as the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Archbishop Emeritus Mataca, as the principal consecrator, anointed Archbishop Chong's head and presented him with the Book of the Gospels.

On Friday when he took the Oath of Fidelity at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva, the final step before his ordination as the Archbishop, Loy Chong said he was at peace.

"I am not nervous and I am not worried. There are no negative emotions, there is an element of positiveness looking forward to tomorrow (Saturday)."

He explained the support from his surviving siblings and their children was more than he could ask for with his nieces and nephews even purchasing the episcopal ring he would wear.

"My sisters have been great support for me not only with the material things but they've been very prayerful. And my nieces and nephews, they've been of great support to me. I cannot ask for anything better," he said.

On Saturday afternoon, at the veiqaraqaravi vakavanua (traditional ceremony), members of the Burebasaga Confederacy said the three confederacies and 14 provinces in Fiji had faith in Archbishop Loy Chong to drive the church forward.

Presenting the kamunaga (whale's tooth), to Loy Chong the confederacy's matanivanua (spokesman) said: "Na vanua e sa vakanuinui vei kemuni e na nomuni veiliutaki, nomuni vakacabo i soro e na veisiga me nanumi kina na vanua o Viti. (The vanua is counting on you, on your leadership. Remember Fiji when you offer Mass to God every day)."

The matanivanua said the traditional ceremony was from the people of Fiji.

Source

• Fiji Times
• Fiji Times
• Fiji Times
• Fiji times
• Image: Fiji Times/Eliki Nukutabu

This award is given for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree for service to Fiji and to humanity at large.

President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, as the chancellor of the Order of Fiji, yesterday bestowed the Order of Fiji award on 10 recipients at an investiture ceremony at Government House.

Mataca, who is retired after serving the Catholic Church and Fiji for 38 years as an archbishop and 55 years as a priest, said he was happy to be acknowledged for his work.

"I am so happy. It's good to be acknowledged from time to time."

Archbishop Mataca said his commitment and dedication to his role had paid off.

"I think I am the only leader who has survived and come across all the coups in Fiji."

Archbishop Mataca, has been a critic of some government policies, including amnesty for people convicted of political crimes.

Source

• Fiji Times
• Radio Australia
• FBC
• Image: FijiVillage

Chong says that the Pope's resignation is unlikely to have any affect on the ordination plans "Although we still have not received any response from the Vatican, this [The Pope's resignation] will not affect my ordination. In fact, the decision has already been made and it requires three bishops to perform the consecration."

Archbishop Petero Mataca conducted his last official duties as head of the Roman Catholic in Fiji and Rotuma on 18 January. As part of his final mass, he ordained four priests at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

He said he walked out happy, having done his part and the church would continue. Members of 35 parishes gathered to witness the ceremony.

"Now with my last ordination as Archbishop of Suva, I finish my time as leader and when the Archbishop-elect is ordained, my title will be the former Archbishop of Suva," he said.

He added,"I ask then that the whole Catholic Community support the new Archbishop as they have done with me. Work with him through good and challenging times. Continue to work and support in prayers and actions."

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Fiji Sun
• Image: Tawakilagi.org

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

Archbishop Petero Mataca will visit the Holy See next month on his "ad limina" visit which is made every five years. Archbishop Petero said "Last March, I sent my report covering the last five years. When Rome receives that, they divide it and give it to the five different ministries."

A summary of his report would also be given to Pope Benedict XVI. "We will meet for about 15 minutes and during that time we will discuss my report," he said.

In July, 2009, Archbishop Mataca having reached the age of 75, confirmed sending his resignation letter to the Vatican City in Rome and that was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI.

In September 2009 the personal assistant to Archbishop Petero Mataca, Sister Sera Heritage, said the name of new archbishop would be announced by Pope Benedict XVI from Rome and that could be around December 2009 or January 2010.

"Choosing a new archbishop is a process — it's not simple voting. It could take a few months or even a year." She added that Vanuatu waited three years before a new bishop was named.

Source

• The Fiji Times November 2011
• The Fiji Times September 2009
• Image: Anglicantaonga

Head of the Catholic Church His Grace Archbishop Petero Mataca prayed that different religions would not separate people from love

Archbishop Mataca told the gathering that if there were a thousand tongues, they should all be tongues of praises to God. He said it was a day of celebration and it was through the love of Jesus that people exist today.

"I bless you, that you know that the Lord has forgiven your sins," Archbishop Mataca said.

A Taveuni man claims he has a miraculous picture of the icon Mary that he took with his mobile phone at while attending the celebrations at Solevu. The photograph produced a different image

Source

• Fiji Times
• Image:Fiji Times