Aid groups say the 2014 Australian Budget amounts to a broken election promise to the world’s poorest people. The Foreign Aid budget will be cut by 7.9 Billion dollars over five year Extent of cuts to Australian aid to the Pacific unknown Archie Law, executive director, ActionAid Australia says Australia is “not one of the Read more
Asia Pacific
Samoan Government allocates $6 million for private schools
Friday, May 16th, 2014
The Samoan Government this week allocated $6 million Tala for its annual commitment to support and improve the education sector in pre-schools, the private and church operated school system. “This is a continuing commitment on the part of Government in recognition of the contribution by the churches and private schools to the education of the Read more
Vanuatu Council of Churches oppose LGBT association.
Friday, May 16th, 2014
The Vanuatu Christian Council of Churches says it does not welcome the recent establishment of a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) association in Vanuatu. The chairman of Vanuatu Council of Churches Bishop James Ligo, says the constitution is based on Christian and Melanesian values. Ligo says he intends to discuss the issue Read more
Tongan mockumentary labelled offensive
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014A new Australian mockumentary has been condemned as “self indulgent” and “deeply offensive” to Pacific Islanders. Chris Lilley’s comedy ‘Jonah from Tonga’ follows the life of a rebellious 14-year-old schoolboy and his run-ins with family, friends and teachers. Professor Helen Lee is the Head of La Trobe University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology. She’s spent Read more
PNG-SI Bishops’ Conference elects new president
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
The Catholic Catholic Bishop’s Bishops of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands have elected Bishop Arnold Orowae of Wabag as its new President. The election took place at the Conference annual general meeting, held between 1-9 May 2014. The Deputy President is Archbishop Steve Reichert of Madang. The Central Committee, which is elected every three years, Read more
PNG and Pacific seminarians learn communication skills
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
About 120 seminarian and candidates for religious life investigated communications skills at a symposium on Radio and New Evangelisation. The symposium was held on 1-2 May at the Catholic Theological Institute in Bomana, Port Moresby. A theological key note address, ‘Evangelising in the 21st century’, introduced the theme and was followed by experiences of community and Read more
Recently ordained priest and a catechist murdered in PNG
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
A priest and a catechist have been murdered in the Goilala Mountains in the Central province of Papua New Guinea. Fr Jerry Inao and the communion minister, Benedict, were shot dead at Kamulai on Sunday 4th May. Fr Jerry, a native of the area and a member of the Kunimeipa tribe, was in his early Read more
Priest in Fiji found in contempt of court
Friday, May 9th, 2014
A well know priest in Fiji, Fr. Kevin Barr, had his testimony invalidated and was found in contempt of court because of remarks he made about the Government. Barr was acting as a character witness for the former Prime Minster Mahendra Chaudhry. Barr claimed “strong voices in the business lobby” wanted Chaudhry out of the Read more
LDS Church gives neonatal equipment to hospital in Samoa
Friday, May 9th, 2014
The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints (LDS) has donated a NZ$123,000 Neonatal Machine to the Faleolo Medical Centre in Samoa. Mulipola Oliva Mulipola, presented the machine to the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama last Tuesday. Mulipola is Upolu Samoa West Stake President of the LDS Church. He said that while Read more
Martin Hautus honours Pat Buckley
Tuesday, May 6th, 2014Long-serving teacher and lecturer, Pat Buckley, was appointed as the patron of the Martin Hautus Institute of Learning Samoa in a ceremony held last week. In his tribute to Mr. Buckley, Pulotu Selio Solomon, the Chief Executive Officer of Martin Hautus N.Z. said the decision was taken because of his outstanding service to education and Read more