According to official Mormon statistics, there are over 64,000 people in Tonga today who are Mormon equivalent to around 60% of the total population of Tonga (approximately 107,000 people). This represents a 20% growth of the Mormon population since 2006.

"Whatever the real story behind the counting process normally used by the Mormon Church, what is perhaps more important here is something for all other churches including the Catholics to learn from."

He points to the consistency of Mormon outreach, "untiring door-to-door home visitations and their charitable offerings to struggling families and individuals" as an inspiring example for Catholic pastoral work.

"Understandably, there are many of our people who do struggle with financial needs to their families," he said.

Caritas International and the St Vincent de Paul Society assist the marginalised with necessities and environmental initiatives. The two are often one in Tonga.

"Our local Caritas Tonga in partnership with Caritas International has been initiating and encouraging community projects in villages and parishes that are part of these efforts against climate change," he said.

"Such initiatives, for example, include planting trees along shorelines as measures of soil protection and windscreen protecting buildings."

"Long before Caritas was established in Tonga, the St Vincent de Paul Society was already functioning on the parish level in helping out those poorer families and those who were lacking in the basic needs in life, such as shelter, water and food."

His people love the colourful aspects of culture and tradition in liturgical music, singing and arts.

The future of the Catholic Church in Tonga depends on faith shining through simplicity.

"For me, ours is a journey along the path to growth in finding real joy in ‘being who we are', and even in the beauty of just being alive.

"In other words, we ‘shine out' in being ‘simple'."

Richness in faith, love and joy give beauty to many of the poorer Tongan families.

"These people still show joy in their ordinary way of living even when they still give to others out of their own poverty.

"There is also a ‘glow' of certain grace in people in homes who on a daily basis take good care of their sick and elderly members," he said.

Source

• catholicoutlook.org
• Image: mormonnewsroom.org.nz

He says reviving the system would require a lot of money.

The church is not financially prepared for the task.

August last year marked 150 years since Fr Lamaze established St Stanislaus College and a primary school at ‘Ahopanilolo in 1865.

From 1865 to 1914 the church established primary schools and colleges.

In the second 50 years from 1864 to 1914, more schools opened in villages and outer islands.

The most important event in that period was the inclusion of the New Zealand education syllabus in the island's Catholic education system.

But the third 50 years began with the closure of schools and the return of children to the government education system.

System review

Cardinal Mafi says the professionals from the Australian Catholic University in Sydney reviewed the Church's educational system on the island in 2013-2014.

He says that review was part of the attempt to get the true picture of the status of Catholic Education.

It was to set up a foundation for the future.

He says Vatican II's Declaration on Christian Education, ‘Gravissimum Educationis', laid out the church's stance on academic education.

It based its centrepiece on the dignity of men and woman and their godly rights as creations of God.

Hence the Church's aim to educate the whole person and not in just an academic way.

Cardinal Mafi says that's why it puts greater emphasis on technical education today.

He says he values the importance of fostering children while they are young.

He says the Church's education aims in Tonga are to make sure it is "heavenly" and "eternal."

Source:

• Loop Tonga
• Image credit: America Magazine

At this site a white cross that marks the place where the first mass celebrated in Tonga took place on 2 July 1842.

Pangaimotu is a small island in the Tongatapu group lying near the capital. It is reachable by a 10-minute boat trip from Nukuʻalofa.

The morning mass was attended by more a thousand Catholics from throughout Tongatapu and 'Eua who travelled to the island by boat.

A spokesperson from the Catholic Church Diocesan Centre, Toutaimana said a plaque was unveiled by Cardinal Mafi to mark the anniversary.

As part of the celebration Cardinal Mafi ordained Lutoviko 'Olie to the priesthood on 29 June, at Pea.

Pea was the first village to receive the Catholic Faith. Father Joseph Chevron of the Society of Mary came to Tongatapu under instruction from Bishop Pompallier, accompanied by Brother Altaic.

Chevron and Altaic were responding to an invitation sent to them at Lakeba in Fiji, through relatives of the chief of Pea, Moeaki.

Lutoviko began his training for the priesthood at Marist College Suva in 2008. In November last year he graduated from Pacific Regional Seminary with a Bachelor in Theology - Magna Cum Laude - accredited by the Urbanianum University, Rome.

Currently he teaches at Apifou College.

Source

• Matangi Tonga
• Oceania Marist Newsletter
• To Live Among the Stars
• Image: Talaki Matangi Tonga

On Monday night the Counties Manukau Health Board said Mafi's condition was stable

His condition is not believed to be serious and he will probably be discharged in the next day or so.

A spokesperson from the Catholic Church Diocesan Centre, Nuku'alofa said that Cardinal Mafi left Tonga on Friday, 31 March en route for Rome.

They said that Mafi was not well when he left Tonga and after he arrived in Auckland he decided to have a medical check-up before he embarked on the long flight from Auckland to Rome.

It was then discovered that he was not well enough to take the long flight to Rome.

The Cardinal has cancelled his trip to the Vatican.

He hopes to return to Tonga in time to take part in the Easter ceremonies

Source

• matangitonga.to
• radionz.co.nz
• kanivatonga.nz
• Image: joansrome.files.wordpress.com

In an article in the National Catholic Register, Rome correspondent Edward Pentin wrote that Francis's choice of cardinals is among the indicators of his pontificate's direction.

Pentin noted that Francis has chosen not to award "so many red hats to traditional cardinalatial sees, especially in Italy".

Examples Pentin cited include Venice and Turin.

Rather, the Pope has gone to the global peripheries for new cardinals, reflecting the universality of the Church.

Pentin described the elevation to cardinal of Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga as "unprecedented".

The writer noted Tonga's population was little more than 100,000 and that Protestants outnumber Catholics significantly.

Another such appointment from a small state was that of Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado of Cape Verde, Pentin noted.

"Despite [such appointments of cardinals] being a widely welcomed innovation that focuses on parts of the world where the Church is growing fastest, not all are happy with the move," Pentin added.

"One senior Church official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Register that emphasis on the peripheries may sound worthy, but it omits the fact that being a member of the College of Cardinals involves ‘some very weighty responsibilities, in terms of advising the Pope, electing a Roman pontiff'.

"For this reason, he believes, ‘a certain respect for the very large sees is logical'.

"In any case, the Church official said, the bishop of a large diocese is already ‘involved in a big way in the peripheries of his own diocese'.

"Others believe new cardinals from the peripheries will also be taken less seriously," Pentin wrote, "and have comparably less influence than those from the traditionally-cardinalatial metropolitan sees."

In April last year, Pope Francis named Cardinal Mafi to be a member of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable giving

In 2011, there were 15,441 Catholics in Tonga, making up 15 per cent of the population.

Catholics were the third largest denomination in Tonga, behind Methodists (54 per cent) and Mormons (18 per cent).

Sources

• National Catholic Register
• Catholic News Service
• Matangitonga
• Image: Catholic News Service

Mafi was on his way to Tokelau to attend the church's 150th anniversary celebrations there.

The highest form of Samoan traditional welcome, the ava (kava) ceremony was presided over by the chiefs, orators, taupou (chiefly women) and untitled men of the village of Leauva'a, whose village chiefs accepted the Catholic faith at Lealatele, Savai'i in 1835.

Chiefs and taupou in traditional regalia were part of the guard of honour of mainly bare chested and tattooed men lining the outskirts of the malae (marae) and the immediate area where another taupou used her bare hands to mix the royal ava for the chief guest.

The ceremony was attended by the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese, Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church.

Source

• samoaobserver.
• talamua.com.
• Image: talamua.com.

Mafi was responding to a question asked by many Tongans when news about his elevation broke in the kingdom: How did the tiny Pacific Tongan diocese in the Pacific come to be recognised like this by the Vatican?

The cardinal said while he was trying to come to terms with the news of his elevation he remembered how his mother ‘Onevao wrote to him while he was in the seminary in Fiji. He said she always addressed him by his christened name, with the salutation, "Siʻi Soane Patita."

Siʻi, a Tongan definitive article, carries a sense of emotion in Tongan when added to the name.

Soane Patita is the Catholic name for John the Baptist in Tongan.

Cardinal Mafi said John the Baptist was a very humble prophet who told Jesus he was unworthy to tie the straps of his sandals.

He was speaking at the ceremony of haʻunga, a Tongan presentation of pigs and kava as well and mats and ngatu to show appreciation for what has been achieved.

At the Haʻunga Kula, the Cardinal's Herald (he speaks on behalf of the Cardinal), recalled how he felt nervous when they arrived in the Vatican.

He said the novelty of the atmosphere hugely impressed him and made him ask how on earth this had happened.

Kula said the other cardinals who were elevated with Mafi were from well-known countries of the world.

He said his anxiety was propelled by the fact the MC of the day at the Vatican asked in front of the audience where Tonga was.

Then, using poetical languages, he said he came to realise that this was a religious event which was not based on worldly ideas and physicality but on Christian morals and ethics where everyone was the same in the eyes of God.

Source

• nzkanivapacific.co.nz
• Image: nzkanivapacific.co.nz

Lau teau ne nau ‘i he fakatu'uta hala e Siasi Katolika

The ceremony took place to honour Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, the first Tongan to be appointed to the College of Cardinals.

The cardinal was accompanied into the Palace Grounds by vicar-general, Monsignor Lutoviko Finau and former prime minister Lord Sevele of Vailahi.

Students from Catholic high schools and colleges and youth groups from Australia and New Zealand also joined the march.

The presentation was followed by a family presentation and entertainment to the Cardinal at his residence, Kaingafo'ou in Fanga ‘o Pilolevu.

On Saturday there was a celebratory feast in the grounds of ‘Apifo'ou College.

Organised by the Catholic Diocese of Tonga, the celebration included feasting and traditional dances by various parishes.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u were among the guests.

Crown Princess Sinaitakala was the vahenga [the centre position, the highest position in the dance] in a lakalaka [a metaphorical danced speech] by Ma'ufanga, while a ma'ulu'ulu [a traditional dance performed by a group of seated men and women] was performed by Nuku'alofa, a group tau'olunga [girls' dance] from Australia, a lakalaka by Takuilau College and a kailao [war dance] by Houma.

The Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, Crown Prince Tupouto'a ‘Ulukalala and other members of the Royal Family along with the Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva also attended.

Source

• Matangitonga.to
• Tonga Daily News
• Image: Matangitonga.to

Pope Francis named Cardinal John Dew of Wellington, New Zealand, to be a member of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Cardinal Soane Mafi of Tonga was named a member of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable giving.

The Vatican published a list of assignments for the cardinals created in February on Monday.

All Cardinals who are under the age of 80 are named members of various Vatican congregations and councils.

While the day-to-day work of Vatican offices is carried out by the staff, the direction and major decisions of the offices are determined by the full membership.

Several of the newly appointed cardinals were assigned to the pontifical councils for justice and peace, Cor Unum, migrants and travellers, and the healthcare ministry — all offices that had been expected to merge into a new Congregation for Charity, Justice and Peace.

In February, the entire College of Cardinals was briefed about a proposal to create a new charity, justice and peace congregation.

They also heard of plans to establish a Congregation for Laity, Family and Life, merging the current pontifical councils for laity and for the family, along with the Pontifical Academy for Life.

No new members of the councils for laity or for the family were announced in the list of appointments.

Source

• Catholic Herald
• Image: The Marist Messenger Radio New Zealand

Mafi says all forms of discrimination against women are already clear enough in Tonga's laws and are forbidden in Christian churches.

He says the reason the church does not approve of the conventionis that some of the clauses in it are in conflict with the church's beliefs, like abortion and same sex marriage.

Mafi says the nation's motto "God and Tonga are my inheritance" highlight the fact that God is first.

And so everything has to go accordingly with God's plans and not what the United Nations wants, he says.

The Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva says the decision to ratify was arrived at only after thorough discussions and consultations with the community and church leaders as some of the provisions of CEDAW are clearly in conflict with Tonga's Constitution and laws.

He says the decision to ratify was made on the very clear understanding that the Government's ratification will be with reservations in respect of those provisions that are incompatible with local laws.

In effect, this means that Tonga is prepared to apply the provisions of the Convention nationally, on the condition that it does not conflict with the provisions of the Constitution and laws of Tonga regarding succession to the throne and nobility, abortion and same sex marriage.

Mr Pohiva says the duration of the reservations will be unlimited.

The UN has tentatively welcomed the move.

However the Officer in Charge of the Regional UN Human Rights Office for the Pacific, Satya Jennings, insisted that once Tonga has undergone the actual ratification process, it should bring national legislation in line with "international standards".

Source

• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: image.slidesharecdn.com

The Tongan cardinal was given his red hat by Pope Francis at the Vatican on February 14.

On his arrival back in Tonga, Cardinal Mafi said he had not been given any permanent role in a Vatican department yet.

But he said he will travel once a year to Rome to fulfil official duties as a cardinal.

"In the meantime, I am very happy to be home," he said, adding that he would continue his normal duties as Bishop of Tonga and Niue.

Cardinal Mafi said he was deeply moved at the number of Tongan pilgrims who were at the Vatican last month to show their support and happiness.

At least 300 Tongans are believed to have been there to support him.

"It was a very humbling and amazing experience, especially coming from a small island like Tonga and being one of only two selected from Oceania to be appointed as cardinals, a position that has normally been selected from Europe as they are closer to the Vatican," Cardinal Mafi said.

"It is a calling for Tonga."

The cardinal was also deeply touched with the presence of Queen Nanasipau'u at the consistory.

"For Their Majesties to be in Rome at this same time was amazing.

"On the day as I walked down St Peter's Square and heard that the Queen would be attending and saw Tongan flags waving, I was deeply moved and overwhelmed with feelings to have the Queen there," he said.

The cardinal celebrated a thanksgiving Mass at Ma'ufanga on March 1, which was attended by Queen Mother and Crown Prince Tupouto'a ‘Ulukalala.

The Tongan government declared March 2 a national public holiday in recognition of Tonga's first Catholic cardinal.

Sources

• Matangi Tonga
• Tonga Daily News
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: Tonga Daily News

They later met Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States.

King Tupou expressed his satisfaction at the election of the first Cardinal from Tonga, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi.

During the discussion attention was paid to the recent political developments in Tonga.

The discussion also included a number of aspects of social and economic life, as well as the positive contribution of the Catholic Church in various areas of society.

There was also an exchange of opinions on the international situation.

Particular reference was made to the island states of the Pacific and the environmental problems that some of them are facing.

Source

• Vatican Radio
• Image: Vatican Radio/Reuters

When he gets back to Tonga the good times will roll, Tongan-style, Cardinal Mafi told CruxNow.

"Many pigs will be killed!" he told John Allen, quickly adding "I'll try to save as many as I can".

Tens of thousands of Tongans from all walks of life sent Mafi notes of congratulations and best wishes, including the country's King, Topou VI and his wife Queen Nanasipau'u.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u travelled to Rome for Saturday's consistory ceremony.

Mafi says he had no idea he was going to be named a Cardinal and was in bed at 4am when woken with the news by a phone call from his brother who lives in San Francisco.

Mafi said he had only met Pope Francis once, at last year's Synod, and that was to explain where Tonga was.

"That's far, far away!" replied the Holy Father.

Commenting on the vexed issue of the 2014 Synod, Mafi said he liked the openness, and reinforced his comment by saying that his earlier experience in 2012 seemed "tighter" and "more controlled".

"There was true friendliness and plenty of free discussion," he said.

"But there was also something deeper. I sensed the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, working through that openness."

Admitting the enormity of the responsibility has not yet sunk in, Mafi says he is still new to the Vatican scene but hopes the spirit will continue into the 2015 Synod.

Having already beaten the odds to become a bishop and a cardinal, Mafi knows there's still one job left in Catholicism — one that's also never had a Tongan. He regards the idea of a Tongan pope, however, as fairly implausible.

"That would really be the end of time!" he laughed.

Cardinal Mafi studied at Loyola University in Maryland, and at aged 53 is the world's youngest cardinal.

Source:

• Cruxnow
• Image: Cruxnow (per Pacific Bishops' Conference)

Vatican Insider described the scene after the ceremony:

"Tonga's first Cardinal was, "Surrounded by faithful and relatives who have formed a chorus and are singing a traditional song at the top of their voices."

"There is about 30 of them and they are wearing a traditional oversized white shirt with necklaces made of red stones."

"They stand out because hanging from their necks is a photo taken about 20 years or so ago of the new cardinal surrounded, in shirtsleeves, by a large number of brothers and sisters."

Just before the solemn celebration in St Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Mafi sat down with Philippa Hitchen to talk about the strong Christian faith in his country and about why the King and Queen of Tonga were also present to celebrate with him at Saturday's Consistory.

Asked what the Church in Tonga can offer to the universal Church, the cardinal talks about the simplicity of lifestyle and the sense of God in peoples' lives.

Also he says families ties are still strong and there is a respect for the elders in society.

Mafi said he met the King and Queen of Tonga for a regular New Year greeting on January 1st and learnt that they were planning a trip to Rome in February.

When he heard the news that he had been appointed a member of the College of Cardinals, he realised that the consistory would take place during the same time as their visit, thus they were able to share in the joy and celebration for all the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.

• Listen to interview
• More photographs

Source

• Vatican Radio
• Vatican Insider
• Image: Reuters/Vatican Radio