The comments were part of a message of condolence offered to the Catholic Church in Fiji on the death of he late Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca.

The late Archbishop was a great man who gave ordinary people the strength to battle difficulties without prejudice or malice, he said.

"His contributions to Fiji as the head of the Catholic Church over the years provided strength to the ordinary. His soft but reasoned advice will continue to echo in the minds of all those who were in contact with him."

Arya Samaj (Noble Society) is a Hindu reform movement.

The Fiji Branch was was the first religious, cultural and educational Fiji Indian organisation established in Fiji.

From its inception, in 1904, it attracted the young, educated and progressive Hindus.

The modern day Arya Samaj in Fiji still speaks out on issues affecting its members and its activities are visible through the numerous educational

institutions that it manages.

THE Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA) has also paid tribute to late Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca saying he had a clear voice of authority whose steady and consistent leadership would be sorely missed in a nation that needed it all.

The ECREA message stated that even in his old age, Archbishop Mataca remained a committed member of ECREA's Sustained Dialogue for the Heads of Christian Churches in building and rebuilding relationships in Fiji.

"In his dedication and commitment, we saw the revival of the Fiji Council of Churches," it stated.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Wikipedia
• The Fiji Times
• Image: Columban.org.au

Father Kevin Barr of ECREA said they had conducted awareness programs and workshops for their members on how they could make their voices heard.

He said workers had raised concerns because they believed that Fiji could not have peace without justice.

"Our main message today (Friday) is justice and peace," Father Barr said.

ECREA is a Non Government Organisation based in Suva, Fiji Islands. Founded in 1990 by the late Reverend Paula Niukula, with the aim to address the social, religious, economic and political issues that confront Fiji.

ECREA is guided by the principles of:

• Social Justice & Equity
• Integral Human Development
• Servant Leadership

Its website provides information about its programmes, resource centre and more.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• ECREA
• Image: WhoTalking