The church in Fiji is still waiting for the announcement of a successor to Archbishop Mataca.
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
