An Indonesian bishop has accused local authorities in Papua of ignoring an alcohol ban, saying their inaction has contributed to a spate of deaths linked to the consumption of bootleg liquor. According to Papua police, 86 people have died, 264 have been seriously injured and 839 injured slightly since 2013 in alcohol-related incidents. Papua governor Read more
Faith-based communities in the Pacific region and from around the world have offered prayers for Pacific Island people whose homes have been affected by climate change. More than one hundred events took place over the past two weeks as part of the #PrayForOurPacific campaign. The Pacific Climate Warriors, a network of young Pacific Island people who Read more
Last Monday lawmakers in Guam unanimously approved legislation to permanently remove the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes, allowing victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant. Sen. Frank Blas Jr., R-Barrigada, introduced Bill 326-33 a few months ago, following several public accusations by former altar boys who allege that Archbishop Anthony Apuron sexually abused them Read more
Thousands of people attended the installation of Christopher Michael Cardone as the third archbishop of the Honiara Diocese on Saturday 10 September. Among those present in the Holy Cross Cathedral for the ceremony were the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui, government ministers Overseas dignitaries, and family and friends included the retired archbishop of Gizo western Read more
“Suicide is no more a taboo word which is not mentioned within our society,” said Papali’i Carol Ah Chong, Executive Director of Fataua Le Ola. (FLO) On Saturday Samoa joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day, in an effort to stop people ending their own lives. Ah Chong said, ” Read more
Samoa’s Ombudsman,Maiava Iulia Toma has announced there will be a national enquiry into violence in Samoa. He said village councils and the churches have to be brought into the act and an enquiry would help expose weaknesses in the system. Toma was speaking at a major gathering for Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers in Apia. “We Read more
THE gaping hole carved into mountains was at one point the world’s largest open-cut copper mine. Now Rio Tinto is saying, “not our problem.” This controversial pit became the flashpoint for a bitter civil war in Papua New Guinea in the 1990s that cost as many as 20,000 lives. Now, 27 years after the war Read more
The Archdiocese of Agãna, (Guam), has its responded to the concerns and information shared by former members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC) regarding the property of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary (RMS) in Yona. A statement released by the The Archdiocese on September 1 re-iterated its request that the Neocatechumenal Way “renounce the benefits granted through Read more
St Mary’s College in Apia, Samoa and St Joseph’s High School in Suva, Fiji are both celebrating their diamond jubilee. In Apia, St. Mary’s College began to celebrate their celebrated their diamond jubilee on Friday with a parade on Beach Road that was led by the Police Band. At the end of the parade, Prime Read more
The Catholic Church of Solomon Islands will soon witness the installation of its third archbishop. And on the same weekend the Anglicans will consecrate the fifth bishop of Temotu (Santa Cruz). Archbishop, Christopher Cardone was appointed the Catholic archbishop of Honiara in June. The Chairman of the Installation Committee of Holy Cross Parish, Mr. Aloysius Read more