Fijian Funeral Ceremony
Following the prayer after communion, there was a traditional Fijian ceremony of thanksgiving for the life and service of Fr Martin Dobey. Tilaila Tanumi, a member of the Columban Lay Mission Central Leadership Team, gave a brief and moving explanation of the significance of the ceremony that was about to take place. |
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As she was speaking, Fr Ioane Gukibau was vested in a traditional tapa-cloth cape. At the same time, Fr Tom Rouse took his place, sitting on the floor slightly in front and to the right of Fr Tommy Murphy, the superior-general of the Missionary Society of St Columban, who took the presidential chair. (Tom and Ioane are respectively the director and vice-director of the Columbans in Fiji.) |
Ioane then approached the sanctuary and the presidential chair bearing a whale’s tooth or tabua. He was accompanied by Savenaca, a former Columban lay missionary who lives in Ireland, and Fr Jioji, a Vincentian priest who is doing a formation course in Ireland. The tabua is symbolically the most valuable gift that can be presented in traditional Fijian ceremonies during significant occasions. |
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Speaking in Fijian, Ioane began by referring to those on whose behalf he was presenting the tabua, namely the Catholic Church of Fiji, the three major tribal confederacies of Fiji—Kubuna, Burebasaga and Tovata, and the people of Fiji. He then said that the tabua was being presented to the superior-general of the Columbans and the family and friends of Fr Martin Dobey. |
He then went on to explain that the tabua was being presented as an expression of thanks for the life and service of Fr Martin Dobey.
The tabua was then given to Fr Tommy Murphy who, after appropriately acknowledging the gift, handed it to his matanivanua or spokesperson, Fr Tom Rouse.
In accepting the tabua on behalf of the Columban society and family and friends of Fr Martin Dobey, Tom said that the rope upon which the tabua hung represented in a special way the bond that had been forged between Fiji and Ireland through the life of Fr Martin. People from both these lands, Fr. Martin’s birthplace and the beloved land of his mission, Fiji, had been brought together on this occasion to remember and give thanks.
This tabua, as Tom went on to say, was a gift which expressed thanks, remembrance, faith and a bonding between people. We gave thanks for Fr Martin’s life as a Columban missionary; we remember that he gave his life in dedication to the mission of the Church in Fiji; our faith assures us that he has received his reward; and we are aware that people across the world have been brought together because of our common link to the work and ministry of this man.
May he rest in peace.
by Fr Tom Rouse SSC