In 2012, when Samoa celebrated 50 years of independence, Victoria University awarded an honorary doctorate to Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Samoa’s longest serving prime minister. The citation noted that Tuila’epa had “presided over the most politically and economically stable and successful small democratic country in the Pacific”. “He is, quite simply, the most successful, the most Read more
A Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) charity gave some computers to the Samoa Social Welfare Fesoasoani Trust last week. According to Elder Clifford Vellinga the Latter-day Saint Charities computer project cost about $25,000. “We hope we have made it possible for them to be able to have a much more effective way Read more
A young woman claiming to have received stigmata wounds is sparking vigorous debate in Samoa. A woman named in Samoan media as Toaipuapuaga Opapo Soana’i, 23, played the part of Jesus in a Sunday School Easter play. People noticed wounds appearing on her body. She had wounds on her feet and hands, as well as Read more
A college in Samoa was temporarily closed by the government after a brawl involving students from three schools, including St Joseph’s College and Don Bosco. Samoa’s Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture closed Avele College in Apia on Friday for the protection and security of its students. The St Joseph’s Day sports at St Joseph’s Read more
A former Marist Brother who was hailed as an outstanding educator in Samoa has died. Patrick Buckley, known in his early days as Br Fintan, died in Samoa in early March. Mr Buckley’s career saw him teaching primary, secondary and tertiary students in New Zealand and Samoa. He had a reputation as an innovative educator Read more
The orderly and peaceful way Samoa’s general election took place has been ascribed in part to a decision to have most polling booths in church buildings. The Samoa Observer reported that the decision “contributed largely to absence of violence and unruly behaviour in most villages”. The presence of church pastors at voting places also helped Read more
Pope Francis received Samoa’s prime minister, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, in audience on December 3. Following the audience, Malielegaoi met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, the Under-Secretary for Relations with States. The discussion focused on some aspects of the social and economic life of Samoa. The valued Read more
Cardinal Soane Patita Mafi was welcomed during an ava ceremony at Leauva’a, a village near Apia, in Samoa last Monday. 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 Read more
In his address for the celebration of Samoa’s 53rd Independence anniversary this year, His Highness the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi said Independence is a goal that demands the ability to conquer one’s impulses. Tamasese is a former Prime Minister and longtime Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition in Samoa. His own family Read more
Teachers at St Joseph’s College in Apia will benefit after the Marist Old Pupil’s Association presented a cheque for NZD$16,100 to the college. The president of the association, Peseta Kasiano Ioane, said the cheque, presented earlier this month, is to help out with teachers’ pay. “We received a request from the school that they needed Read more