Home » STORIES » The Mercy fever in Gizo Diocese, Solomon Islands

The Mercy fever in Gizo Diocese, Solomon Islands

Bishop Luciano Capelli of Gizo, in the Solomon Islands, writes to us to share his joy over the celebration of the Jubilee of Mercy in this remote nation in Oceania:

The ‘MERCY FEVER’ which converts and globalizes the hearts proposed to us by Pope Francis to commit us to forgive others and challenge us to service and solidarity with all has reached the highest point in the thermometer here in Gizo at the center south Pacific region

The isolation of the parishes from the Gizo Diocesan Center makes it impossible for the people of the far away villages to reach the cathedral and the Holy Door of the Jubilee year

The pastoral team however did not give up the great opportunity offered to the faithful and proposed an easy and meaningful initiative “If the isolated faithful cannot go to the holy door at the cathedral, the holy door will go around the parishes and the villages to reach the isolated people”

The tour of the 14 villages ended today (May 12th 2016) after two intensive months with the diocesan boat – a 60 horse outboard motor – which braved the sea which has not always peaceful and cooperative

The welcome ceremony at sea has been very well prepared

  • The Holy door was preceded by the Cross and sided by the two banners with the Jubilee year logo
  • The village warriors gave the Cross and the door a real custom and hero welcome
  • There followed a liturgical celebration with a meditation on God’s words, and the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation and Eucharist
  • The symbolic passing through the reconciliation door implied the acceptance of the gift of compassion received and the commitment to reconcile with one’s neighbors, and peace making among hostile groups. True peace we all believe passes through forgiveness freely received and given
  • The people have been prepared by the pastoral team on a previous visit and responded with unexpected enthusiasm

The Gizo priests have shared their happiness in seeing the people participate with all good will

In Melanesian social life “reconciliation-compensation” are key words and the ritual is central in the culture of the village social life, Faith provides the experience first in oneself and the sharing of that experience to others as a commitment to the Gift received

Never have the priests worked so hard as these two months as ministers of  reconciliation

How beautiful it is when we can experience reconciliation within ourselves and we share this gift to others… How beautiful it is when we can forgive each other and start again

Mistakes and conflicts can become moments encounter and of growth if faced with an open heart, motivated by faith and generosity

Luciano Capelli, Salesian of Don Bosco

Bishop of Gizo

Don't miss the latest updates!

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children…

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli…

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21…

Papal envoy carries solidarity to the Christians of war-torn Sudan

Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has…

In the east of Burkina Faso, still many problems as term starts

While the security situation in Burkina Faso has improved slightly,…

From Angola to Vietnam, enthusiasm with “One million children praying the Rosary” campaign

ACN’s yearly campaign, added to the Holy Father’s appeal to…

Church clings to life amid chaos in Gaza

Aid to the Church in Need echoes Pope Leo XIV’s…

List of News

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign. Pope Leo XIV kept up the tradition of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by promoting the One...

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli envoys and Hamas, the hope for a beginning of peace is cautiously laying roots in the diocese of the Holy...

Fr Hugo Alaniz recounts a night of explosions and fear in Aleppo: “People are very afraid, we don’t know what is going to happen”

In the midst of a new wave of fighting, the Argentine priest describes hours of anguish in Aleppo. His parish has once again become a refuge for dozens of families....