New Archbishop Peter Loy Chong is currently been installed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
‘Remember the less fortunate’.
Those were the words of Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca to the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong while delivering the sermon at the Episcopal ordination yesterday.
Mataca could not hold back the tears after he blessed Archbishop Chong while others could not hide their emotions as well.
Archbishop Chong told the more than 15,000 people present at the Vodafone Arena yesterday that he will give his all in shepherding the flock as he will also look after the Archdiocese of Rarotonga and Kiribati.
An Episcopal letter sent by Pope Emeritus Benedict was read out in the ordination ceremony as he was the Pope who appointed Archbishop Chong before he resigned.
In his letter Pope Emeritus Benedict asked Archbishop Chong to look after his new ministry with all his energy.
Archbishop Chong said he will abide by the Catholic laws and principles.
Meanwhile, for 73 year old Rokoua Lepani, yesterday's event marked another chapter in the Catholic Church and Fiji's history.
Lepani said he witnessed the ordination of Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca in 1974 but yesterday's event showed the growth of the church.
Lepani added that he is hopeful that the new Archbishop will continue the good works especially in the education aspect of the church.
Chong is the fourth Archbishop of Suva.
The President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and other government ministers and Permanent secretaries witnessed the ordination.
Story by: Akuila Cama
