Wairiki Church
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Mon 6 Jul 2015 22:47
Wairiki Catholic Mission
Our driver stopped at the Wairiki Catholic Mission on the western coast. Taveuni’s
largest Catholic church is a popular tourist attraction.
The school and
Rectory to the left of the church.
The traditional
drums that call the faithful and the schoolchildren.
We walked up past Our Lady and looked back toward the
Somosomo Strait.
This massive and very traditional Roman style
church was built of stone in 1907, it has no pews as the congregation sit
on woven mats in the Fijian style. The ceiling is very
intricately patterned in wood. The building overlooks the site of the
battle with the Tongans, which – aided by the advice of a French Missionary
priest – was won victoriously by the warriors of Taveuni and saved Fiji from
their invading neighbours who had been winning battles on other islands. The
priest was rewarded by the people by the building of this church.
The plaque under the crucifix reads:- The crucifix was given to Ratu Goleanavanua, Tui Cakau and
Paramount Chief of Cakaudrove Bua, Macuata and the Yatu Lau by the Rev Laurent
Favre [Father Lorosio] in 1862. This crucifix inspired the Tui Cakau to defeat
the Tongans under Ma’Afu led by his warrior Wainiqolo.
The crucifix was given to the Tui
Tunuloa for safekeeping by Ratu Golea, and in 2005 after 143 years the Tui
Tunuloa, Ratu Igenasio Loaloa returned the crucifix to the Tui Cakau, Ratu
Naiqama Lalabalavu, in Wairiki, on Friday, 14th September, Holy Cross Day.
The Tui Cakau then traditionally handed it over
to His Grace Archbishop Petero Mataca D.D. for safe-keeping. His Grace ordered
that it be kept in the church of the Holy Cross Wairiki for veneration by the
people of Cakaudrove.
Handsome stained
glass windows and a lovely Pieta.
Looking to the Lady Altar and St
Joseph.
Stations of the
Cross.
ALL IN ALL
MAJESTIC VERY LOVELY CHURCH IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING |