One of the many challenges faced at Catholic schools in Fiji is the reduced number of Marist Brothers serving at the schools.

This was highlighted by the Archbishop of Fiji and Rotuma, Peter Loy Chong, during the opening of the Marist Brothers Bicentenary celebrations yesterday.

Archbishop Loy Chong also highlighted the importance of education and how Catholic schools had played a pivotal role in the country.

“The Catholic brothers and the whole Catholic education has been at this work for almost 130 years and we want to thank them as pioneers of the education,” he said.

Brother Terrence Costello of New Zealand and Tonga, who has been a Marist Brother for 53 years, was at the celebrations and excited to be part of the major anniversary.

He is here to set up a governing board to help respond to the changing circumstances of why only a few Brothers serve at Catholic schools.

“My main focus is to get this governing board established so that our schools can get clear direction of its history and traditions,” he said.

Archbishop Loy Chong was accorded a traditional welcoming ceremony in front of a crowd of over 800 guests of former scholars, parents, and students.

The celebration ends today including a march from Marist Brothers Primary School at Suva Street to Marist Brothers High School at Flagstaff. The march starts at 8am.

There are five schools in Suva under the Marist Brothers.

Edited by Naisa Koroi