austraLasia #2520

'Aussie Plate' causes more turbulence, but never fear - She is here!
 
HONIARA/KUMGI/Moresby: 9th October 2009 -- Thursday 8th October saw South West Pacific Islanders racing for high ground again. Three 7.6 magnitude undersea 'quakes caused panic as the 'Australian Plate', its movement responsible for the recent Sumatran devastation, shifted yet again in a nor-nor-east direction.  Our correspondent in Honiara tells us that they had to close the school yesterday due to a tsunami warning.  They are back today. The tsunami amounted to small waves only. Seismologists are now fairly certain that the Sumatra-Samoa and now Vanuatu earthquakes are all related, and are concerned about what might happen next. The 'Aussie Plate' is "very dynamic and fast moving" according to the chief seismologist in the area.
    Meanwhile, turbulence of another kind in the high hills of Simbu Province PNG, where Fr Angelo writes of tribal warfare disrupting the school's graduation event. "From the school compound we have witnessed the burning of many houses on the mountain slope across the Wagi river. Two groups are fighting over money to be paid for gravel collected by Cove Company...for maintenance on the Highlands Highway. There are other fights in the Kerowagi area where people have been killed as claims over a certain piece of land are brought up again after a car accident where the driver belonged to the opposing group. There are threats to take hostages from the group if they cross the river again!"
    All this meant severe disruption to the school's Graduation Mass: "Sadly only 30 of the 170 students were present". Fr Angelo goes on to say that "The Grade 10 exams commenced on 5th October. Due to the tribal fights, students unable to go to Kerowagi Secondary School were welcomed by Kondiu Rosary Secondary School to complete their examinations".  A rather practical example of 'rosary' in action!
    And down in Port Moresby, it was the Rosary taking centre stage at the new Shrine to Mary Help of Christians at DBTI.  Pedro Sachitula, our young Angolan Salesian now stationed in Moresby writes that Our Lady of the Rosary was celebrated with an event organised by Sr Fernando Gina FMA, spiritual moderator of the DB Technical Institute. The Marian and Music clubs combined forces.  The first part of the Hail Maries was recited in a variety of languages in honour of missionaries all around the world: Umbundu, an Angolan language, for Africa, Spanish for the Americas, Italian for Europe, Tagalog for Asia and Tok Pisin for Oceania.
    Fr Val Barbero who had no little hand in the accomplishment of the Shrine, addressed the students at the end.  He is the Rector of DBTI. "This beautiful Shrine we are now gathered in and praying in is a miracle of the Blessed Virgin", he told them "because She wanted a house here and this is Her house! She is here!".
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Title: australasia 2520
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces PNG/SI turbulence
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2520