Every
Fijian joins me in mourning the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca, the former
head of the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji. He was a towering figure in the
church and the wider community, serving as the Archbishop of Suva for a
remarkable 36 years.
Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always
prepared to take a stand for what is right. I came to deeply appreciate his
personal qualities when he and I co-chaired the National Council for Building a
Better Fiji. We shared a vision of a nation in which a common and equal
citizenry work hand in hand for the common good and I deeply valued his
commitment and support as we strove to meet that common objective.
It is sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first
genuine democracy that he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after
our General Election in September. But when it happens, it will be in large
part because of the building blocks he did so much to set in place.
I will never forget his courage in standing up to the forces of
division in Fiji, nor the great moral authority he exercised as Archbishop for
the common good. As I mourn his passing, I renew my commitment to achieve
Archbishop Mataca’s vision for our beloved nation.
He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every
Fijian. And those are the principles on which a better Fiji is being built.
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