Bishop Mason said the political turmoil had led to the temporary closure of schools and the church s theological college until the end of the year. He said a number of parishes waiting for new clergy would have to wait an extra six months for the theological students to graduate. Some students from schools such as Selwyn College were also without facilities until at least the end of the year, he said.
Parents are worried and concerned.
Bishop Mason travels mostly by boat around the group of islands that form Makira, sometimes travelling up to eight hours by boat and foot to get to parishes. He said his entire diocese only had 50km of road. Most of the churches are quite difficult to get to in the sense that you either must climb a mountain or go by sea. The church s greatest mission challenge was reaching youth, who formed the highest percentage of the island group s population. Ninety percent of the population are subsistence farmers.