Bishop Quits

From The Solomons

CONTROVERSIAL Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Central Solomons Rev. Charles Koete is quitting his church duties.

He is taking early retirement, Archbishop Rev. David Vunagi announced yesterday.

The decision came weeks after the Solomon Star published a front page article about Bishop Koete’s New Year’s day drunken spree that landed him in court at Tulagi.

He was fined $300 after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence liquor and driving without a licence.

The news report sparked outrage within the church, with calls for Bishop Koete to step down.

Archbishop Vunagi responded to the report by urging Bishop Koete to explain the drunken incident or face disciplinary action

Yesterday, Bishop Koete met the Council of Bishops and handed his retirement letter.

“With due respect and honour to God and the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), I am now humbly submitting my official request for early retirement,” he said in his letter.

“With a clear conscience of heart and mind, this official request will take effect as of 31 May 2010.”

Bishop Koete also apologised for his recent action.

More here-

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/5602-bishop-quits

Tulagi to host youth rally

From the Solomon Islands-

THE youth ministry of Anglican Church in Tulagi will host a week-long interdenominational rally at the provincial capital next week.

The rally, with the theme “empowering youth for effective ministry”, will start on June 28 and is expected to bring youths from throughout the Central Province.

Churches take turn in hosting the annual event. This year’s is the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s turn.

Chairperson of Tulagi youth ministry, Anna Samora, said the event is for youths from various churches within the province.

“We are inviting youths from different churches around Tulagi township to participate,” she said.

“Invitation was also send to churches in Honiara to take-part in music and teaching about God,” Ms Samora added.

She said topics such as spiritual teaching, family planning and training will be the highlights in the rally.

The theme selected is for youths to develop honesty and integrity in God’s mission, explained Ms Samora.

She said in order for youths to do carry out mission in the community, youths must engage in such activity.

http://solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9873&change=104&changeown=93&Itemid=122

Archbishop Tutu launches Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Solomon Islands

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has launched in Honiara a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Solomon Islands – which is modelled closely on the body he chaired in South Africa after the apartheid regime fell.

Solomon Islands collapsed into chaos and violence from 1997-2003, chiefly as a result of conflict between gangs from the islands of Malaita and Guadalcanal, during which it was widely dubbed a “failed state.”

More than 100 people were killed – including seven members of the Anglican Melanesian Brothers order - and 20,000 were displaced in the fighting.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) led by Australia then intervened, at the invitation of the fraught Solomons government. Australia is paying $A 500,000 towards the cost of the new commission.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Tutu flew in to Honiara in late April and launched the commission in front of an audience of thousands at the Lawson Tama stadium.

He said: “There are many places around the world where there is conflict, but after a while peace comes. We in South Africa just want to say to you, if it can happen in our country, it can and will happen here.”

The 77 year old Anglican bishop also spoke at a conference named Winds of Change that brought together former fighters from Malaita and Guadalcanal, the latter being the island of the capital, Honiara.

More here-

http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/main.php?pg=news&news_id=20678&s=157

Solomon Islands to reconcile?

SOLOMON Islands, wracked for five years by internal strife that saw hundreds killed and at least 20,000 driven from their homes, is launching a national reconciliation process with the help of South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tutu opens the South Pacific nation's Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Wednesday - six years after Australian-led peacekeeping troops and police arrived in the troubled islands to help restore civic order.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua said Tutu's presence would inspire Solomon Islanders to help to heal old wounds caused by the violence and civil unrest.

The commission, made up of three eminent Solomon Islanders and two international members, is expected to sit for a year, with a provision to extend it for another year.

'It represents a turning point in our efforts to move away from bitterness and resentment, and to create a shared future as a unified nation,' PM Sikua said on Tuesday.

The retired archbishop Tutu is deeply revered in the largely Anglican South Pacific state, both for his role in chairing South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and for his commitment to promoting human rights and opposing racism.

The hundreds of troops and police of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands have provided security for villagers to return to their homes and resume normal lives.

The rest-

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_369673.html