By Aldrin Peloko, The Church of Melanesia

[Visit the Picture Gallery for photos of the event] 

The 23rd day of June 2013 is now a historical day for the Anglican community in the Province of Melanesia, and particularly for Anglicans in Guadalcanal.

Many thousands of Anglicans from the new diocese and others witnessed the inauguration of the Diocese of Guadalcanal and the installation of its first bishop Right Revd Nathan Tome.

The official programme began on Saturday 22 June with an official welcoming ceremony that started when a traditional war canoe escorted Primate of The Church of Melanesia Archbishop David Vunagi and his team from the Anglican flag ship MV Southern Cross.

The next day, at the inauguration service and installation of Bishop Tome at St Paul’s Church, Lengalau Village, Archbishop Adrian Smith of the Roman Catholic Church in Honiara shared a very simple and inspiring message based on the book of Kings. He spoke about the story of Elijah's response to God's call and his confrontation of Baal's prophets. There was also a Gospel reading from Luke 8.26–39.

Based on these two readings Abp Smith chose the theme “God is strong and has power over all evil”. 

“Today as we inaugurate the new diocese of Guadalcanal, it is important that all we do is done in the name of Christ Jesus,” he said.

“It is only through Christ Jesus that this new diocese can achieve the mission of the Church.

“We have to put away our tribal differences and be united as one in Christ Jesus because the strength of the Diocese of Guadalcanal depends on your fidelity.”

In a similar vein, after his installation as the new diocese's bishop, the Rt Revd Nathan Tome urged his listeners to be "diocesan in attitude and behavior" and made an appeal for responsibility and trust.

Bishop Tome's cathedral is to be St Paul’s Church at Lengalau village until the diocesan headquarters are built.

Straight after the service, Bishop Tome was also installed as a cultural leader of the island of Guadalcanal. As part of this cultural enthronement Bishop Tome was escorted by traditional dancers and tribal chiefs up to a traditional war canoe placed on the stage. He and his wife approached the canoe and stepped into it. A tribal chief on stage at the time explained to onlookers that the action signified that the new bishop's leadership would not only be for the church but also the cultural heritage of the island. As a symbol of this he was given traditional gifts including shell money and a paddle to paddle the island of Guadalcanal. 

The two days were filled with speeches, encouragements, best wishes and gifts. Among those who attended the event were Deputy Prime Minister Honorable Manasseh Maelanga and other Government Ministers; the Leader of Opposition Dr Derrick Sikua; Archbishop David Vunagi and the Council of Bishops; General Secretary Dr Abraham Hauriasi, Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor, clergy men and women and lay people of the church of Melanesia that includes Vanuatu and New Caledonia; Archbishop Adrian Smith of the Roman Catholic Church in Honiara; Representatives from the UK's Melanesian Mission, the Australia Board of Mission; and Melanesia Trust Board New Zealand. Other guests included representatives from the Solomon Islands Government, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, and various tribal groups on the island. 

Everyone enjoyed the traditional feasting and entertainments that were also part of the day's celebrations.