2021 – Transition Period in Kiribati

The presence of the Marist Brothers in Kiribati is very fragile but there is a small window of opportunity to secure a longer presence if decisions are made now. The future presence of the Marist Brothers lies mainly with the three I-Kiribati Brothers presently there and any future local Brothers who follow in their footsteps, along with the Champagnat Lay Partners. This “window of opportunity” covering the period to the end of 2021, that is identified as a “Year of Transition” from the present community composition to one of only I-Kiribati Brothers. This will be a time while roles gradually will be handed over to the local Brothers in a planned and systematic way.

For this period of transition to be successful, the local Brothers must inherit a going concern. Certain areas need to be simplified and other structures set-up to enable the smaller number of Brothers to handle a more manageable structure without being under any unnecessary pressure.

In the pictures, at the beginning, you can see the 3 Ikiribati Brothers in Bikenibeu, at the La Valla center: Tabunga, Tainga Moanriba and Amberoti Nantei. The traditional maneaba in the background is a great symbol of strengthen, adaptation, openness and family spirit. A powerful symbol of this Year of Transition of our Life and Mission in Kiribati.

It is in this spirit that the District Council appointment Br. Tainga as the new community leader and country co-ordinator for Kiribati, and Br. Amberoti as the new community bursar and country bursar for Kiribati. We strongly support local leadership among our local Brothers.

Special thanks go to Brothers Sefo Une and Barry Burns for their efforts in initiating the new Stewardship Team. This was a wonderful effort in sharing the charism and leadership among our Marists of Champagnat of Kiribati.

Special thanks to Br. Barry for his commitment in supporting this wonderful initiative of a partnership of Marists of Champagnat, Brothers and Lay. As our Founder stated in his Spiritual Testimony … ‘See how they love one another’.  Thank you, Barry for your brotherly and mentoring role to our local Brothers. The future of our Life and Mission in Kiribati will be greatly strengthen from local vocations. The First Profession of Brothers Ienraku and Ieremia provides us with signs of great hope for the future.

Finally, special thanks to Br. Sefo who has been the Country co-ordinator of Kiribati for the last 4 years. Br. Sefo was instrumental in starting the La Valla Spirituality Center at Bikenibeu. This Center still has much to offer to young people in Kiribati. Tabunga and Barry are initiating ways of introducing ecology into the programs being offered to young people. Br. Sefo will continue to play a significant role as the St Louis Secondary School Commissioner. He has been instrumental in facilitating funding for both the Brothers (vehicles and house) as well as the school (toilets plus new administration block). Some of these projects have yet to be completed. Sefo will return when the borders are open.

The Marist Charism is alive and well in Kiribati. We salute the efforts of our Marists of Champagnat there at present.

We thank our Brothers who have contributed to this mission in the past. The coconut is still growing … and there is room for further growth. Let us lend a hand, a prayer and/or a letter of support.

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Br. John Hazelman – District Leader – Pacific