Solomon Isles blog - “Community of the Sisters“

Melanesia Blog #5

Dean Tim and wife Jen (also Cathedral Education Officer) are away from the Cathedral for three weeks in the Solomon Isles, preaching, teaching, working with the diocese and meeting the locals. Here's todays update.

Friday 14 June

Today is a public holiday in Melanesia to mark the official birthday of his Majesty King Charles III. Sometimes this place seems more British than Britain!

We have spent the day with the Community of the Sisters of the Church (CSC) at Tetete Ni Kolivuti (TNK) led by the amazing Sister Veronica (far right). She is the only woman priest in Melanesia having trained and been ordained in England, and ministers in her community with the support of her bishops. The sisters have developed the most beautiful and peaceful community on the sight of a former US Army base. From there they run a school, a conference and retreat centre and develop many young women through the novitiate. We enjoyed their hospitality, midday prayer and hearing the story of the worldwide order and the development of their campus at TNK. We heard stories of how settlers in the bush around the centre steal their water. We also shared our hope with Sr Veronica that one day she would not be alone on the islands as a woman priest.