Post on 11-Jan-2016
transcript
First Martyr of
the Pacific
Who was Peter Chanel? He was French! Born 12/7/1803 in Cuét
Who was Peter Chanel?
He was French! Born 12/7/1803 in Cuét Brought up on a farm
The 5th of 8 children
Who was Peter Chanel?
The Major Seminary at Belley
He entered the minor seminary in 1819 He was ordained in 1827 at Belley He joined the Marists in 1831
Who was Peter Chanel?
The Major Seminary at Belley
Taught at the College in Belley for one year, then became Administrator and Spiritual Director of the School
His statue now stands in the courtyard of that College
In 1833 he came to Rome with Fr Colin to get approval of the Society of Mary
Pop
e G
rego
ry X
VI
In 1836 the Society of Mary was approved and entrusted with the Mission to Western Oceania P
ope
Gre
gory
XV
I
Chanel, who had always wanted to be a missionary, was chosen as one of the first group of eight to go there.
Journey to Oceania
Journey to Oceania
Journey to Oceania
Journey to Oceania
Journey to Oceania
8 Nov 1837
Journey to Oceania
On the Island of Futuna
Hard work learning the language
On the Island of Futuna Tribal wars Chanel and the missionaries were peacemakers
On the Island of Futuna A Chief was not happy about conversions
On the Island of Futuna
28 April 1841
The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians - Tertullian
The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians From Wallis and Futuna
the Catholic faith spread
Vanuatu, Solomons, PNG
Kiri
bati
EffectsSome of the great changes it brought:– An end to
Tribal warfare, Cannibalism, Worship of ancestral
gods
– Belief in Christ Peace
Effects
Wallis Futuna Fiji Vanuatu Tonga Samoa New Caledonia PNG
Chanel Shrine at Poi
Effects
Relics of Chanel
Effects
Children of Poi at the
memorial of Chanel’s house
Effects
Cathedral on Wallis
Faces of the Pacific
Wallis Futuna Fiji Vanuatu Tonga Samoa New Caledonia PNG
Children of Futuna
Faces of the Pacific A Fala – a Futunian house
Making tapa cloth
SeminariansBomana
Faces of the Pacific Women on Wallis
Suva, Fiji
Faces of the Pacific
Missionary Sistersof the Society of Mary
Novitiate, Tutu
Religions of the Pacific
The Pacific today is mainly Christian– French Polynesia is 99.6% Christian– For comparison Italy is 82% Christian
But many types of Christianity– Methodist– Anglican– Roman Catholic– Hundreds of smaller Christian churches
Politics of the Pacific
The struggle for self-sufficiency Third world countries in a global
economy Overseas aid is important Politically fragile
Cultures of the Pacific
Local languages 2 major public languages
– English– French
Very localised. Village life Building style High humidity Traditional cooking
First Martyr of
the Pacific
St Peter Chanel