Asia Pacific

Pat O’Connor RIP – parish priest of Tokelau 1987-2011

Tuesday, December 9th, 2014

Monsignor Patrick Edward O’Connor, long-time parish priest and first Superior of the ‘Missio Sui Iuris’ of Tokelau, one of the most isolated places on earth, died at the St Joseph’s Home of Compassion at Silverstream in New Zealand, on Wednesday 3rd December. Pat got to know the Tokelau people through the migrant Tokelau community that Read more

Christianity’s role in combatting belief in witchcraft

Friday, December 5th, 2014

Christianity is strong in the region of Melanesia and the church could play a role in influencing people and combatting the belief in witchcraft says Cassaundra Rangip, co-founder of an anti-witchcraft non-government organisation in Papua New Guinea. She says a recent case of witchcraft related hangings in Vanuatu had raised fears that the phenomenon had Read more

Archbishop Chong attends opening of Universal Meditation Centre

Friday, December 5th, 2014

Archbishop Peter Chong recently attended the inauguration of the Universal Meditation Centre in Nadi, Fiji. In his address he said there needs to be room for inter-religious dialogue so that religious faiths and traditions are shared and learning takes place. Chong said God was universal and meditation was a universal practice among the different faiths. Read more

Solomon Is Christian Association says election of PM urgent

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014

The Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) has joined Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) in calling on the Governor General to set aside the date for the election of Prime Minister as soon as possible. SICA’s general secretary, Holmes Saeve said they supported FSII’s call because an early election is important to avoid “grass hopping” by Read more

Holy Spirit Sisters celebrate 115 years in PNG

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014

The six missionary Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS) on the staff of Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang will celebrate 115 years in Papua New Guinea on 8 December. Two of the early teaching sisters, Sr Inez Strobl (now at Alexishafen) and Sr Edith Thies (Malala) will be special guests of honour, along with Sr Heline Read more

Review of Catholic Education underway in American Samoa

Friday, November 28th, 2014

Marist Brothers Donald Texeiria and Kevin O’Malley are in American Samoa to conduct an assessment of the local Catholic school system. The review includes classrooms, campus grounds, and the curriculum. They have been asked to undertake this review by the Bishop of Pago Pago, Peter Brown. Both of the Brothers have a long association with Catholic Read more

Of fish and faith and Fiji

Friday, November 28th, 2014

To link church leaders with stewardship, the Locally Managed Marine Area Network in Fiji (FLMMA) has gone to the source: working directly with colleges that train Methodist pastors. This strategy started about five years ago with the largest Methodist seminary in Fiji. Theology colleagues there have begun to integrate resource management into their curriculum. Priests Read more

Archbishop Chong encourages Boys Town graduates

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

Archbishop Peter Chong encouraged graduates of Montfort Boys Town last weekend to continue with the hard work when they join the career world. He told the 45 graduates in carpentry, cabinet-making and automotive that the life story of Thomas Edison, inventor of batteries, electric lights and power, set a challenge for everyone to do better in Read more

Vanuatu Christian Council condemns sorcery hangings

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

The Vanuatu Christian Council has condemned the hanging of two suspected sorcerers on the island of Akaham in South Malekula. The general secretary of the Council, Shem Temar, told Radio Australia International that pastors are supposed to promote Christian values which includes respect for human life. He said more information was needed before he could comment Read more

Sorcery – pastors and chiefs arrested after hangings in Vanuatu

Friday, November 21st, 2014

Police have arrested suspects on the island of Akaham in South Malekula in Vanuatu following the killing of two people over allegations of sorcery and witchcraft. Those arrested include church pastors and customary chiefs. According to the Daily Post, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, John Taleo, has described the killings as brutal and unlawful murders. Read more