FIJI ISLANDS - Consecrated Life in Fiji makes progress: its mission is reconciliation

Suva (Agenzia Fides) - Consecrated Life is increasingly present and incisive in Fiji's small archipelago of 800 little islands for a total area of 18,000sq km. Five years ago members of different religious congregations in various countries of Oceania started a formation programme for deeper understanding of the vocation and mission of consecrated persons in the Pacific, under the aegis of the Conference of Major Superiors of the Pacific Islands. In these five years aspirants, novices, deacons, seminarians all over the area have benefited from the programme entitled Hesed Hebrew for covenant.
The local community has just celebrated the first temporary profession of three Salesians and the perpetual profession of a Salesian missionary: a motive of joy for the small Catholic community and the Salesian community opened a house in the suburbs of the capital Suva, in January 1999.
Recently the islands were hit by cyclone Gene which left many families without water or electricity. Despite the poor weather Salesian Inspector in Australia Fr Francis Moloney was able to be present to preside the Eucharistic Celebration and the professions.
In recent years the local Catholic community has worked hard to promote reconciliation after a period of civil clashes. Fifty percent of population of 830,000 are Melanesian and forty four percent are descendants of Fiji-Indians brought here to work by British settlers.
After years of unrest and a coup in December 2006, a Peoples Council was charged in 2007 with drafting a Constitution. The highest Catholic representative in the country, Archbishop Petero Macaca of Suva, was invited to be a member of the Council. His task will be to ensure respect for the dignity and rights of every human person. The population of Fiji is 50 percent Christian, mostly Methodists and Catholics, the latter are about 90,000. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2008 righe 27 parole 267)