Columban Publication Issue 2 June 2013

Kaulotu - June 2013 2

KaulotuPublished by Columban Missionaries

Nasese Suva Fiji

Editor: Visenia NavelinikoroEditorial Assistant:Fr Donal Mcllraith

PO Box 2364Government Buildings

SuvaPh: 330 8290 Fax: 330 8292

Email: kaulotufiji@gmail.com

Page 3 From the Director Page 4 In the Silence..God speaks Lanieta Tamawale - Columban Lay missionary

Page 5 Think.Eat.Save. Marjorie Encoy

Page 6 & 7 Archbishop Peter Loy Chong Coat of Arms

Page 8 Photo Gallery

Page 9 Pope Francis Raises Hopes for an Ecological Church Fr Charles Rue

Page 10 Youth/Students Corner World Youth Day

Page 11 Editorial/Bulletin

Snapshots

Contents

Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca escorts his successor Archbishop Peter Loy Chong to his chari after his Episcopal Ordiantion.

Episcopal Ordination - 08th June, 2013 Young and old gathered in front of the Vodafone Arena gate in the early hours of the morning. The cold and the drizzling rain did not deter their joyful spirit to be present and witness the Episcopal Ordination of the Archbishop of Suva -Fr Peter Loy Chong.

Installation - 9th June 2013A faithful stands next to the window of the Sacred Heart Church, Suva, during the celebation of the Installation of Archbishop Peter Loy Chong as Archbishop of Suva.

Kaulotu - June 2013 3

Catholic means universal and it seems that St Ignatius of Antioch was the first to call the Church Catholic on his way to a martyr’s death in Rome in 107 AD.

Certainly besides the Fiji citizens, there were people of every race in the Pacific and far beyond. Catholic implies being missionary, and the Church of Fiji has already taken its place as an evangelizing Church.

The apostolicity of the Church was experienced most vividly in the ordination ceremony. All the attendant bishops can trace their orders back to the Apostles. They are successors of the Apostles in today’s world. They were ordaining Peter Loy Chong into the Apostolic College. Before our very eyes, through their ministry, he became a successor of the Apostles. His unity with Peter was vividly seen by us as we saw Pope Francis invest him with the Pallium just three weeks later on June 29.

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic is both a grace given to the Church by Christ, Our Lord, and a task to be achieved. Let us pledge ourselves to bring this reality to the world with Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.

Fr Donal Mcllraithdmcillraithssc@hotmail.com

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic are the signs of the Church. They are also the tasks ahead of a new Archbishop. We all experienced these realities at the Episcopal ordination and pray that the Holy Spirit guides our new Archbishop as he takes over the Church of Fiji.

The unity of the Church was truly experienced by all of us at the ordination. First was the truly heroic efforts made by all to prepare so successfully for this great event for the Archdiocese. Then came the day itself when we experienced this unity in action: June 8th, 2013.

Holy is not so tangible but we experienced God’s holiness at the ordination Mass. The Church of the entire Pacific united as ten Bishops, led by Archbishop Mataca laid hands on and prayed over Fr Peter Loy Chong that the Holy Spirit might descend on him. We all prayed along with all our hearts as the Spirit was poured out.

A New Archbishop for Fiji

Kaulotu - June 2013 4

“My passion in being with the Deaf, to be the voice for the voiceless, to reach out to them and teach them gospel values, grew stronger as I reflected that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Even if these people are Deaf they are also the image of God to us, and in the silence of our being, God speaks to us.”

When I was assigned to Mindanao, Philippines, I learned Cebuano, the language mostly used in Mindanao. After my six months language studies, I was assigned to Holy Rosary Parish in Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City. They had a special ministry for the Deaf who are poor and could not afford to go to school in the city. I was very new to the parish. Upon our arrival one afternoon, I was sitting in the parish office meeting new people. Then, this short and tiny little girl who is Deaf came into the office to ask for something from the parish secretary in sign language. The people present there could not understand her; they laughed and somehow made fun of her as they didn’t know how to communicate. I felt pity for her and it was there and then that I got inspired and wanted to work with Deaf children, to learn their language and culture and to be their voice to the community and the church.

One of the biggest challenges at first is learning the sign language to be able to communicate, and the next is to be understood, understanding each other through the language and actions, and relaying the messages or what is being said.

In 2010, I was reassigned to my home region, Fiji to take up the role of Coordinator for Columban Lay Mission; this did not stop me from wanting to be with the Deaf. The sign language here in Fiji is different from the one I learnt in the Philippines so I went on to learn the sign language here in Fiji.

I was happy when I was asked if I could gather the Deaf and interpreters for the Episcopal Ordination because this was an inclusive occasion for everyone.

I was worried because it was my first time to sign in the mass here in Fiji and I am not familiar with the religious signs they use. I told the Interpreters I can interpret but I do not know the religious signs, I have no problem interpreting in Mass as I am used to it in the Philippines and in the Cebuano language. Even so, this did not stop me from wanting to interpret at the Mass. Fr. Joe and I were willing to practice and participate and with the help of the other two interpreters we worked together for the Deaf to have a meaningful and memorable Episcopal Ordination.

Top left photo:from left to rightSainiana Tamawale, Veniana, Lanieta Tamatawale

Top right photo:Lanieta Tamatawale (right) interpreting using sign language to the Deaf.

Left photo:Lanieta first (right) sitting together with the Deaf and other interpreters.

Lanieta TamatawaleIn the Silence.. God Speaks To Us

Kaulotu - June 2013 5

The ladies of the Holy Family Parish, Labasa who participated in the worshop for the World Environment Day

Recycling plastic bottles.

5th of June, 2013, the world celebrated World Environment Day with the theme THINK-EAT-SAVE. The celebration focuses on encouraging us to reduce our food print. In this regard, the women of Holy Family Parish in Labasa took the challenge and attended a one hour seminar conducted at the Tabarua at ten o’clock.

The workshop aimed to recall and to reintegrate humanity’s vocation to tenderly safeguard the “Gifts of God” including the environment, children, the elderly, society’s weakest and poorest members and our very selves. This was Pope Francis’ emphasis during his homily on his inauguration mass. The second objective was to discuss briefly the 3Rs

We are asked to walk a mile; we are walking three more miles than required.(Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce). A short explanation regarding the recycling symbol was also given, most especially the marks that are printed on the soda bottles. These bottles have been widely used to store their drinking water on a day to day basis, and the after results of the extensive reusing of these bottles. The workshop was highlighted with the activity on recycling the empty bottles they brought into hanging plant pots. The participants were supplied with hanging plants that they can plant into their bottles. This little project will be hanged outside the homes as a reminder in taking on our responsibility to our environment and to others, just as all life is one. After an hour, the women learned to be more cautious in

their use and reuse of these plastic bottles and were more than happy to bring this new knowledge to their homes and to share it with their neighbors for a happier and healthier life ahead.

One parishioner asked me, “The theme is THINK-EAT-SAVE. But we are talking about plastic and drinks. How is this connected to the theme?” Quite right was this question. It is way too much connected in the sense that, in our excessive consumption of these processed drinks, it increases the plastic disposal to dumpsites, if not, to the surroundings. These plastics are also part of that foodprint. It is a fact that they don’t decompose and so they will stay there for a very long time. Most of the time, they cause diseases or even clogs to drainage systems. This hinders our daily activities, in worse cases like floods and a breakout of epidemic. Moreover, if these plastics are being reused when they are not supposed to be reused will build up in time certain diseases. Thus, it is a need to understand the recycling symbols written on these bottles. As the wise had said, “Prevention is better than cure”. We are asked to walk a mile; we are walking three more miles than required.

THINK - EAT- SAVE

Marjorie Encoy is a Columban Lay Missionary working in Holy

Family Parish, Labasa.

Kaulotu - June 2013 6

To Be Church To The World

May he be the shepherd to your holy

flock and a high

priest blameless to your sight

in ministering to you

night and day and may he

always gain the

blessingof your

favour and offer the gifts of the Holy

Church

““

Kaulotu - June 2013 7

The Kava bowl represents the installation ritual os Fijian chief. Some developments towards Fijian contextual theology are using ideals of the turaga ni vanua (indigenous Fijian chief) to symbolize Jesus Christ.

Moana (the Polynesian term for ocean) is also an Oceania symbol used by some theologians to express God. Moana provides a new way of expressing the dynamic, creative being and nature of God whom we experience as God the Creator, God the Son and God the life giving Spirit.

The magimagi circle (rope made from coconut husk) represents the globlalised world of which Fiji is part. The inter weaving threads of the magimagi symbolize how globalization is a key concept for the church. The church cannot remain isolated from economic, cultural and socio-political issues that affect the people.

Tabua (or Whales tooth) represents the I-Taukei (indigenous Fijian) community. The tabua is the most valuable I-Taukei cultural gift.

The diyaa or earthen lamp represents Fiji’s Indian population and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It also signifies the submission of one’s soul to the supreme power.

The fish is used to by many cultures to symbolize various themes. In the Chinese culture the fish symbolizes unity and fidelity. For Buddhist, fish symbolizes happiness and freedom. In the Eastern Indian culture, the fish is a symbol of transformation and creation.

The islands which appear on the Coat of Arms represent Rabi, Kioa , and Rotuma which come under the Achdiocese of Suva.

The four white panels in the bacjground represent the four gospels.

(Taken From Debbie Singhs article)

Fr Manasa (left) and Fr Mateo Sovaki (right) holds the Bible over Archbishop Peter Loy Chongs head during the

episcopal Ordination.

The Consecrating Bishops for the Episcopal Ordination R- L Bisop Soane Patita Mafi of the diocese of Tonga,

Arcbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca the peicipal consecrating bishop, and Archbishop John Dew of Wellington.

Using his symbols of Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong Coat of Arms encompasses his vision of Church and theological perspectives through the incorporation of the Kava bowl, the ocean, the magimagi circle, the tabua, the diyaa, fish, the islands and the four gospels.

Kaulotu - June 2013 8

Photo FocusEpiscopal Ordination of the Archdiocese of Suva - Rev Fr Peter Loy Chong

Kaulotu - June 2013 9

The statements of Pope Francis as Archbishop in Buenos Aires and member of the Latin American and Caribbean Conferences of bishops suggests that environmental questions will be high on the agenda at World Youth Day (WYD) in Brazil this year. Questions on the melting of the Andean glaciers, genetically modified crops, biodiversity in the Amazon and small farmers driven off their land.

The dictum that emerged decades ago from Peruvian theologians, “If you want to care for the poor, care for the environment” will no doubt be clear in the Pope’s lectures and prayers at Rio. He is committed to simple living and the plight of the poor.

Journalist Marcela Valente writes that Pope Francis raises hopes for an ecological Church. The name the Pope chose honours the Patron Saint of Ecology, Francis.

At the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007, as Archbishop Bergoglio he presided over the committee that drew up the recommendations on the environment.

Valente writes. “The document criticises the extractive industries and agribusiness for failing to respect the economic, social and environmental rights of local communities, and questions the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMO) because they do not contribute to the fight against hunger or to sustainable rural development … stressed the region’s rich flora and fauna and social diversity … and called for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest as part of ‘the inheritance we received, for free, to protect’.”

The final document of the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007, also called for educating people to live a simple, austere lifestyle based on solidarity, for expanding the pastoral presence in communities threatened by activities that destroy the environment, and for seeking ‘an alternative development model, based on an ethics that includes ecology’. Read Marcela Valente’s full article titled: Pope Francis Raises Hopes for an Ecological Church.

Pope Francis Raises Hopes for an Ecological Church

Columban JPIC Coordinator in Chile, Mr Cesar Correa, is working to preserve the glaciers that water his country and neighbouring Argentina. Mrs Amy Echeverria, Columban Society JPIC Coordinator, is a member of the US bishops’ sponsored Catholic Climate Covenant. It has valuable resource for Australians.

Cesar and Amy network with Spanish speaking counterparts not only to protect water sources but also to preserve food sovereignty in Latin American. This is threatened by the false promises about the supposed benefits of using transgenic crops (GM). The social and environmental impacts of GM soya in Argentina is the focus of a very good 25 min video news story titled:Argentina’s Bad Seeds by filmmakers, Glenn Ellis and Guido Bilbao.

As a Jesuit, Pope Francis would be well aware of Jesuit involvement in the genetically modified (GM) food issue. A decade ago Frs Roland Lesseps SJ and Peter Henriot SJ, together with Columban Fr Sean McDonagh, exploded the myth that GM foods could feed the world. They argued publically with Vatican moves. The Guardian published an article: Vatican backing sparks GM row.

Cesar in Chile and the Columbans in Australia are working together. Cesar’s grass roots Latin American experience helps build networks locally with groups such as MADGE and Gene Ethics to campaign against the spread of genetically modified crops (GMOs). Problems have surfaced with GM canola and now GM wheat threatens – false claims about increased yields and using less chemical; GM’s untested long term medical effects; GM products not adequately labelled; GMO contamination of biodiversity.

From his home continent, Pope Francis knows many examples of the need to connect Catholic faith and environmental care. He will no doubt speak of them when he returns there for WYD 2013.

Fr Charles Rue SSC is the Coordinator of Columban Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC) in Australia.

JPIC

Kaulotu - June 2013 10

International Youth Day - August 12th 2013Theme: Youth Migration

Moving Development Forward

WHY YOUTH & MIGRATION

Youth are recognised as one of the most mobile social groups in the context of migration - they form abiout 30% of internation migrants!.Yet very little is known about the livelihood struggles and opportunities that migrants and other youth who are affected by migrationn. We need to raise awareness about the situation of these younf people as well as the role of youth - led organisation in addressing migration issues!

What Can Youth Groups Do?

• Discuss the risks and benefits of youth migration and the innovative ways youth can tackle the challenges of migration at the in local, national, and international level

• Have a youth forum and discuss the social, economic and cultural backgrounds of migrants in order to help young people accept others and popularize a culture of non-violence and tolerance.

• Organise an interculture workshop or an Interfaith sharing so that you may be aware of what youth migrants of different culture and faith go through.

International Youth Day (IYD) was established by the United Nations in 2000 as a means of raising awareness of issues affecting young people around the world!!!

Youth/Students Corner

Kaulotu - June 2013 11

In explaining his Coat of Arms, “To Be Church To The World”, the Archbishop stressed “the Church wanted to speak to different cultures and religions and address questions emerging from modern world. He further said, “The Bishops at the Second Vatican Council wanted a Church that would read the signs of the times and interpret them in light of the Gospel”.

We have witnessed the Ordination of Archbishop Peter Loy Chong which has marked more than a significant milestone in the history of the Catholic Church in Fiji and the region.

In this celebration we are called to be “Church To The World”. We need to take the initiative to read the signs of time and move forward from our comfortable zone. We need to break the barrier of being comfort, and reach out to other cultures, dialogue with other religions and confront social issues in the light of the Gospel.

This is what it means, to be a true disciple of Jesus and to be his church to the world.

Visenia Navelinikoro

Farewell Fr Tom Rouse

The Fr Tom Rouse,the former director of the Columbans in Fiji and parish priest of St Pius X1 of Raiwaqa, left our shores for study in overseas.

Fr Tom Rouse was also the assistant editor of the Kaulotu magazine.

We thank Fr Tom Rouse for journeying with the people of Fiji as missionary priest in the Archdiocese of Fiji, and his contribution to the publication of the Kaulotu.

Vina du Riki Fr Tom Rouse.

Bulletin/Editorial