A group of Islamic extremists in the area of Besi have attacked a meeting of Catholics in the parish of the Holy Family of Banteng , in an area north of Yogyakarta (island of Java). It has been alleged that dozens of armed people wearing robes assaulted a group while saying the rosary at a Read more
This year’s Independence day celebrations has been a unique one for the Catholic Church in Samoa. The new cathedral was officially blessed and the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM sisters) are celebrating 150 years of service in Samoa. Past pupils came from around the world to participate in yesterday’s Independence Day parade. Read more
The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) has moved to ban gift-giving with the hope to ease the burden on families and church followers. However, that ban comes with exceptions, urging that “wisdom and conscience” are used. C.C.C.S. Secretary General, Reverend Dr. Iutisone Salevao said the decision was finalised during last year’s gathering. Speaking to Read more
The general secretary Pacific Conference of Churches says the position taken by Fiji on decolonisation was an example to the region, including the governments of Australia and New Zealand, but it needs to go further. Reverend Francois Pihaatae says Fiji’s Prime Minister, Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama, only mentioned the Kanaks, and failed to mention the Read more
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia will be dedicated 31 May. The dedication ceremony includes traditional presentations by various parishes and entertainment to be provided by the Catholic college students at the Tofamamao Pastoral Centre, Leauva’a. Built by Father Ricky Bernard and a team of local builders, the project relied Read more
The financial viability of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa’s (C.C.C.S.) television Network, called EFKS TV, was brought under the microscope last week at the Church’s annual conference. EFKS TV was launched in May 2013 at a cost, which has been variously reported, to be between half a million and 1.1 tala. The money was Read more
The Catholic Bishops of Papua New Guinea have published a wide ranging open letter addressed to the political leaders of the country. In the open letter they recognise the value of the good relationship the Catholic Church has with Government in Papua New Guinea. They say it is one of mutual respect and express the Read more
A human rights activist and lawyer says there are signs that churches from outside the Pacific region are starting to focus on the Pacific and to send missionaries or preachers there who are intolerant of homosexuality. Dr Paula Gerber says “The church is a very broad term. There is certainly some religious bodies that are Read more
The Bishops of the Federation of Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania have elected Archbishop John Ribat of Port Moresby as President of their Conference Federation, and the Vice President is Bishop Robert McGuckin of Toowoomba. There were 82 Bishops from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the countries of the Pacific, and Australia and New Zealand in Read more
In Samoa telecommunications company Digicel and Don Bosco Technical College are celebrating 7 years of partnership with the renewal of the sponsorship for the highly successful fautasi Digicel Segavao. Digicel has given Don Bosco $ST35,000 to help with their youth development efforts. The fautasi is a long boat used for racing in Samoa and American Read more