SAMOA'S ARCHBISHOP LAID TO REST END OF THIS WEEK
His Grace the late, Alapati Lui Mataeliga during a mass at the Mulivai Cathedral
Photo: Anetone Sagaga/ Eyespy Radio Samoa
The archbishop's body, His Grace Alapati Lui Mataeliga, arrived in Samoa from New Zealand this week in preparation for his funeral ceremonies, which will take place at the end of the week. Thousands are anticipated to attend his grace's last services.
The Archbishop Group of Samoa had a brief liturgy as they awaited the arrival of his deceased corpse at the Faleolo Airport before he was taken to the Divine Mercy property in the hamlet of Leauva'a. Catholic church people were observed standing by the sides of the road in Aana and along the route from the airport to Faleolo to Leauvaa, hoping to see the arrival of his grace. The vehicle that escorted his body was covered with the Basilica of Ana Paia in Leulumoega, as well as the Ministry of Paul VI in Nofoalii and the Ministry of Maria Immakulata in Fasitoo -Uta. Arriving in Leauvaa, the Holy Mass was conducted by the Reverend Father Ponifasio Kelekolio.
Members of the ministries testified, including Member of Parliament Sala Fata Pinati. His Grace Alapati's body was afterwards laid to rest in the mortuary to receive some of the holy Mass offerings planned by the Samoa Apia Bishopric program.Grace Alapati Lui Mataeliga was sent urgently to New Zealand for medical treatment but tragically passed away.
At the end of this week, His Eminence will be laid to rest. When God summoned the man who had been the father and leader in the Authority for 20 years since he was chosen to oversee the Catholic Church in Samoa, several members of the Authority sent heartfelt sympathy records and expressed their grief. This week's Holy Offering of the Mass was celebrated by the Youth of the Diocese on Wednesday evening in the Maria Imakulata Episcopal Temple in Mulivai. More than 20 priests who attended the Holy Mass of the Mass on Wednesday evening crowded the temple with a large number of members of the Catholic congregation, deacons.