Thousands witness consecration in Buin

Thousands of faithfuls came from across the Buin Deanery and beyond South Bougainville, to celebrate the consecration of the St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church at Turiboiru Parish just outside Buin Town over the weekend.

The church was packed beyond capacity, overflowing with fatihfuls prayerfully welcoming a modern house of worship, blessed by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville Darius Kalusza.

The Bishop said while the church has been blessed to serve as a house of congregation for worship, believers must also renew and rededicate their lives to God.

The blessing and opening of the Turiboiru Church also coincides with the 125th Jubilee Celebration of the Catholic Church in Bougainville.

With the opening of the church, the Parish celebrated its first Thanksgiving mass in line with the Jubilee on Sunday.

On Friday the landing of the first Marist missionaries in Buin in 1903 was re-enacted at Patupatuai Beach, and a procession was led into Turiboiru Parish, marking the start of the Jubilee celebrations.

The event continues onto Pokpok Island and Tubiana Parish in Central Bougainville this weekend and will conclude at the Hahela Parish on Buka Island on August 14.