The Church's media spokesperson, Father Ioane Ono, confirmed this when contacted by the Samoa Observer.

Ono said while he knew prisoners had assisted with the demolition of the old Cathedral, he was unaware they were being used to help with its construction of its replacement until Father Ricky Bernard told about it after he, Ono, had been leading a service at Mulivai a while ago.

Bernard, according to Ono, is the leading carpenter at the project.

"I am not sure what has been worked out between Father Bernard and the prison," he said. "All I knew was they were helping."

He said the prisoners were only on the Church grounds on Saturday - and they assist Fr. Bernard from morning until afternoon.

He dismissed questions about the safety of members of the public and the risk of prisoners running away.

He said when the prisoners are at the Cathedral they are accompanied by Police officers.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Image: Facebook

Church spokesman, Father Penitito Mauga, said that the Church wants to pool its vast tracts of land in the town area and lease it to businesses at a higher rate.

"We have very few sources of income but have a lot of assets. The church is undergoing several expensive development projects that require lots of money. The Mulivai Cathedral for example." he said

Father Penitito said tenants have been given the option of buying land or take up a relocation package of a free quarter-acre at Moamoa and $30,000 cash.

In May the church said the move was the realisation of plans to expand the business locations in Apia. The Director of Lands with the Catholic Church, Fuimaono Foutanu Eti O. Lino was reported by the Samoa Observer as saying, "It's not our initiation. It's the Government's initiation to allow businesses to develop for the betterment of the country."

Many of the Church leases at Saleufi and Fugalei have been vacated with families having already relocated to Moamoa.

Savali News also reports that The Church has also has agreed to allocate over 1,500 acres of Church land up at Malololelei and Lepiu for a national reserve.

"Over a thousand acres in the water catchment area will be given to government, but tied to certain conditions including compensation. Another 500 acres and more - which is identified as crucial watershed areas including gullies and waterways - will be held in a Trusteeship between government and the Church" said Fr Penitito

Source

• Savali
• Samoa Observer
• Image Savali

According to Catholic Church spokesman Father Spa Silva, the only thing that will be different is a that the new Cathedral will be elevated and that it will be twice as big.

"But it will look exactly like the (Immaculate Conception of Mary) Cathedral that has been a landmark of Apia for over a century," said Father Spa.

"Instead of the 400-500 seats we had, the new Cathedral will have seating for up to a thousand people."

The cost of the new Cathedral could not be detrmined at this point, he said, but "there will be some funds from the Vatican towards its construction."

The Cathedral's iconic frontal statues will be retained, said Father Spa, "and there could be more statues that will be put up for the new Cathedral, as is with many Catholic Cathedrals around the world."

How long it will take to build the church also could not be determined right now but, "it will certainly be completed sometime next year."

"Workmen are already working very quickly to demolish the old Cathedral so they can start on the new one."

The new Cathedral is being built by renowned builder Father Ricky Bernard.

Source
Savali.com

Photo Credit
Savali.com