BY LIONEL TAORAO in Ulawa Island, Makira/Ulawa Pro.
THE people of Ulawa Island in the Makira Ulawa Province on Wednesday, July, 20th celebrated the 144 anniversary of the arrival of the Anglican Church to their shores.
Holding the celebrations at Saint Barnabas church, which also is the first church in Mwajoa village, the village where the two missionaries, Rev. Clement Marau and Walter Waaro landed, Former retired Arch Bishop of the Church of Melanesia Rev. Bishop George Takeli said that July 20th marks a very historical day in the history Christianity in Ulawa Island.
“Today we celebrated the arrival of Christianity to our shores 144 years ago,” former Arch Bishop Rev. Takeli said.
“144 years ago, these two missionaries, Rev. Clement Marau and Walter Waaro, arrived on Ulawa Island bringing with them the seed of Christianity which they planted on this very village”, Rev. Takeli says in his sermon.
He said that this day is not only important for the Anglican Church but for all churches that today have been established on Ulawa.
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Minister Norman Haununu said that the celebration today was organised by the families of the two missionaries; Clement Marau and Walter Waaro
“With this year’s event, since the responsible committee responsible for organising the event which is the parish committee cannot make it possible, the families of Walter Waaro and Clement Marau decided to take the responsibility to come together to organise this very important event”, Minister Haununu said.
“According to the Anglican Church calendar, the 20th of July is the day set aside to commemorate Rev. Clement Marau for his missionary work together with Walter Waaro here on Ulawa and this is an annual event”, he added.
People from around Ulawa Island gathered together to commemorate this historical event at Mwajoa village which also is the home village of Walter Waaro and Rev. Clement Marau who is a Missionary from Vanuatu.
The celebration started with a communion service and ended with feasting and entertainment.
