Provincial of Oceania reports on celebrating ordinations in Oceania
The ordination to the Priesthood of Rev. Benjamin Paka, Rev. Lorensio Kinika and Rev. Jeffrey Werner was a wonderful event. The ordinations were held at Red Beach Parish of the Good Shepherd, Honiara. There was a very big congregation, some arriving a few days earlier and pitching “tents” or other temporary dwellings and living in the old church on the grounds of the Parish. The music, singing, and cultural dancing took us all to a special place wherein the faith, hope, and love expressed by the people strengthened all of us. It was truly moving. Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP reminded us of our calling as Vincentians and the work before us in the Solomon Islands. In rehearsing our history he displayed a strong grasp of the key moments in Vincent’s life and how these relate to us now. He truly appreciates the Vincentians and would like a long association with us in the years ahead. Three priestly ordinations of local Solomon Island men is a good start.
Two of the newly ordained have been appointed to the Red Beach Parish to work alongside Fr. Brian O’Sullivan who is the Parish Priest. The two confreres are Lawrence Kinika, and Benjamin Paka. It is a three-year appointment. Jeffrey Werner has been appointed to our Parish at Nausori in Fiji. He will be the third member of a young, vibrant team.
This is a significant step in the life of the Archdiocese and the Vincentians. Underlying these ordinations is a commitment by the Province of Oceania to the Vincentian Curia and the Archdiocese to be responsible for the Parish of the Good Shepherd in conjunction with the Seminary Community and however that is made up.
I am appending some photos for your perusal and I will attach more photos in the following emails.
Gregory Brett CM
Provincial
