MSC Pacific Province. News
Recently, we congratulated the establishment of the new Pacific Islands Province.
Google the Province Facebook page, set up by Robati Tebaiuea MSC
Gerald Warbrooke MSC, Suva, tells the story of the new Province.
And a note on the covid situation in Fiji from Warren Perrotto MSC.
On the 17th October 1998 the new formation house up in Wailoku, Suva was blessed and opened for the students and formators. Today candidates come not only from the traditional source of Kiribati, but also from Samoa, Fiji, Chuuk, and Wallis and Futuna.
Since the General Conference of 2014 in Guatemala the General Administration had journeyed with the Pacific Union offering support and guidance and on the 10th of May, 2021 the Province of the Pacific Islands was canonically erected.
At present there are 49 local members of the Province – 1 bishop, 24 priests, 7 Brothers and 17 students. Members from other provinces also help in the direction of the Province and its ministries: from Indonesia, Korea, Australia, Philippines, and the U.S. The membership of the Province is still generally young and the ministries and works of the PPI are geographically scattered over the Pacific.
The Province consists of two Districts. The Northern District consisting of the island nations of Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru. The Southern District consists of the Fiji Islands, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga.
We take this opportunity to thank the past and present General Administrations for their support and guidance through the years that we were a Union. We also thank the Australian Province and the Papua New Guinea Province who both played a major role in our growth towards becoming a Province. We also extend our sincere gratitude to all the entities of the Congregation who have generously provided us with finance and personnel over the years since the beginning.
As we begin this new chapter as a Province we are reminded that the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart was born in the midst of the uncertainties and calamity of the French Revolution. In a similar way our Province is erected in a time of great suffering and misery because of the pandemic affecting countries all over the world. As a Province we want to be a sign of hope and love to everyone as we stand in prayer and solidarity with all those suffering from this deadly disease.
As members of a new Province, we will fix our eyes on Jesus and together contemplate his compassionate heart. It is in the compassionate heart of Christ, we can find true healing, peace and comfort at this challenging time.
May God bless and protect us all from this pandemic. May our Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart continue to intercede for us and protect our humble Province.
Gerald Warbrooke, MSC
From the Northern District. KIRIBATI, MSC ASPIRANTS
Young men who are inspired to join the MSC after their "Come and See" programme and accepted to live and experience the community life for at least two years are known as MSC Aspirants. They have also the opportunity to study at Kiribati Pastotal Institute to achieve their Certificate of Theology. In the photos below are the MSC Aspirants of 2021, MSC House Teaoraereke, Kiribati. Photos credited @James A. Kakiabo
Covid 19 in Fijii.
“Since March, the COVID-19 virus has landed on Viti Levu, Fiji, via a repatriation flight. One passenger was contaminated. Different from the first wave, the 2021 invasion began to sweep at a rapid speed throughout the isle. The government and police have sanctioned restrictions, such as lockdowns and quarantines, including masks when going outdoors. The island also has a curfew, and all schools are closed until further notice.
However, the rapid pace of the virus throughout the island is primarily due to the lack of cooperation of persons not following the government’s restrictions, including not wearing a mask, not keeping social distance, such as social gatherings, drunkenness, and not following curfew hours (6.00pm to 4.00am). The arrest of these people does not seem to have much of an impact.
All of these things have a devastating effect on the Fijian economy. There is unemployment, lack of food and water supplies, marital violence, and violence among the youth, accompanied by psychological stress. On writing this, on June 27th 2021, we have 3,329 active cases, 15 deaths, and 736 recoveries.
Australia and New Zealand deserve our appreciation. These two countries generously gave aid to Fiji. They have donated thousands of needles, food supplies, and necessary medical equipment. These have been a significant contribution to contain the virus from spreading. Most MSCs here in Fiji have received their first ‘jab’. We must wait three months for our second injection.
The real heroes and heroines in this pandemic are the nurses, doctors, volunteers, and police. Each day they risk their lives to assist and protect the people from this sickness. We thank them for their unwavering dedication.”
Warren Perrotto MSC
