Loy Chong urges people to put aside differences

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

At his ordination on Saturday Archbishop Peter Loy Chong made a plea for unity and tolerance.

“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.

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