100 Years

Foundation of Catholic Mission Commemorated at Tahiti

From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE, August 4.

IN the presence of His Excellency, the -I- Governor of French Oceania and over 6000 people, the mission of the • Roman Catholic Church in the French settlement of Oceania celebrated, on June 14, the cen tenary of its foundation at Tahiti.

In this assembly were representatives from all districts of Tahiti, from Moorea, and from the archipelagoes of the colony— the Tuamotus, Marquesas, and Gamblers, where the Catholic faith has been firmly established.

The ceremonies were opened by the cele bration of High Mass conducted in the open air by Monseigneur Le Cadre, Bishop of the Marquesas Islands, assisted by Mon seigneur Bernadin, Apostolic' Prefect of Rarotonga. Later a stately procession passed from the Papeete Cathedral to the mission valley.

After the Mass, the ceremony of unveil ing and blessing a handsome monument erected to the memory of the pioneer mis sion fathers, was performed. Standing in the garden of the episcopal residence, this memorial carries the bust portraits of Fathers Laval and Garret (two priests who brought the Roman Catholic faith to Tahiti) and Monseigneur Rouchouse (the superior who sent them).

At the dedication of the memorial, the Vicar Apostolic of Tahiti (Monseigneur Amedee de Nouailles) spoke eloquently of the founders of the mission, of their self sacrifice, of their courage in their difficult task, and of their piety. In moving phrases he recounted the tragedy of the ship, voyaging from France to Tahiti with Monseigneur Rouchouse and many mis sionaries on board, and carrying a cargo of supplies and building materials for the erection of churches, which was lost with all hands while rounding Cap© Horn.

The first Roman Catholic Church on Tahiti was built by Father Laval in the district of Mataia. It is still standing.