The vanua of Lakeba has traditionally welcomed Archbishop Peter Loy Chong as the island prepares to commemorate 182 years since the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries.
Archbishop Chong arrived in Lakeba for the historic St. Martin de Porres Parish Jubilee celebrations and was received with a traditional welcoming ceremony.
Organisers say the ceremony reflected the longstanding connection between the Church, the vanua and the people of Lakeba as communities gather to celebrate their shared history and faith.
A major part of the jubilee celebrations will see Archbishop Chong unveil a commemorative plaque marking 182 years since the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in Lakeba.
The unveiling is expected to mark a significant milestone in the history of Catholicism in Fiji and recognise the missionaries who brought the Catholic faith to the island.
The celebrations will also pay tribute to generations of Catholics who have continued to practise and nurture the faith since the missionaries’ arrival.
Organisers say the jubilee provides an opportunity for the people of Lakeba to reflect on their faith heritage while looking towards its future.
The celebrations are being held under the theme: “Celebrating God in Our History, Our Faith Today & Tomorrow.”
