Fiji’s living tradition and a call to unity
ACROSS Fiji, tribes take great pride in mats, which are endemic to their community. The story behind the mats, the materials used, and the skills needed to weave them are often closely guarded secrets passed down
Saint for Papua New Guinea
PREPARATIONS are underway in Papua New Guinea for the canonization of the first Pacific islander
Tui Nayau installed
ANCIENT traditional ceremonies and religious rituals fused at dawn as one of Fiji’s original kingdoms elevated a career military officer to the title of Tui
Pasifika Communities University to promote local learning
Fiji's newest university, the Pasifika Communities University, opens this week with celebrations and events to mark the
We Say: Learning from faith-based teachings
Between March and April this year, three of the world’s largest religions celebrate important dates.On March 1, the Muslim community started its annual fast of Ramadan, sometimes known as Ramzan.This month-long time
We say: Religious Tolerance
Misinformation, disinformation and ignorance are what you might describe as the unholy trinity of religious intolerance. They are the keys to religious fundamentalism around the world. The conflict between Palestinians
Vanimo prepares for Pope’s Visit, Panning gold to assist with preparations
Faithful Catholics and citizens in Vanimo, Sandaun Province are transforming the town in preparation for the Pope’s visit to the Papua New Guinea province next month. The preparations in the province is being led by
Pope’s visit to PNG deferred to September
Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church visit to Papua New Guinea is now pushed back to September this year. According to Cardinal Sir John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby, the Pope’s visit previously proposed for
Less prayer, more presence
It’s not every day that a young Pacific islander tells regional church leaders to stop praying about climate change and take firm, practical measures which people can see. Fresh off the flight from COP27 in Egypt,
A Holy Vow: Churches attempt a lost cause
On the black sand a child ran, face turned upwards as he chased a butterfly. Oblivious to the encroachment of rising sea levels and the gradual erosion of his village, he ran back and forth - lost in this moment. Fifty
Listen to the women
The unheard voices at every COP meeting By Netani Rika Across the world, advocates press for the voices of women to be heard at COP26 in Edinburgh, Scotland. For after decades of talks on climate change and despite the
Fuelling faith and climate action during a double crisis
As a teenager, the atmosphere in our household every Sunday morning could either be described as a war zone, or a fiesta. It really depended on my mother’s mood, which was determined by whether we would be on time for
Church to set up uni
THE Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma will establish a Methodist University that will cater for students who don’t reach tertiary education. The proposal – which aims to provide Methodists, and others, with a
Tongan upgrade
FOR the first time in more than a century, the Anglican Church in Tonga will have its own bishop. Although men with Tongan heritage – Bishop Jabez Bryce and Archbishop Dr Winston Halapua – have led the
The rot under scrutiny
Faith leaders told to address social, political ills LEADERS of faith-based organisations must address corruption and the unequal distribution of national wealth if social and political crises are to be averted in the
Churches fight Indon abuses
A NEW-LOOK Papua New Guinea Council of Churches has vowed to step up the fight against human rights abuses by Indonesian security forces across the border. After more than a week of talks and years of negotiations,
Pope suspends bishop
Church takes hard stand against abuse THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in Guam has been suspended over allegations of sexual impropriety. Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, who has led the Agana Archdiocese for 30
PNG bishops stop the rot
People focus of new laws LAST year the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati moved swiftly to put in place guidelines to stop sexual abuse by priests and teachers on orders from Pope Francis. Deeply
Sex scandal rocks church
Altar boy claims mirror film script SURROUNDED by family, friends and supporters, Roy Taitague Quintanilla, 52, stood in front of the Archdiocese of Hagåtña Chancery and revealed a tormenting secret he had
Young Christian Meeting
SUVA, Fiji – YOUNG Christians will gather at Navuso Methodist Church on Sunday to pray for reunification between North and South Korea.Organised by the Young Ecumenists of the Pacific’s Fiji chapter, the