FOR Fijian Lusiana Kuriuci, it was a bitter-sweet moment when she presented a large and brightly-coloured lei to Bishop Robert McGuckin during his episcopal ordination in Toowoomba’s St Patrick’s Cathedral on July 11.
Together with countrywoman Jane Grey during the Offertory Procession, she bestowed this token of appreciation so impossible to overlook amidst the formal pomp of the ceremony.
As notary of the Tribunal Office of Suva archdiocese, Ms Kuriuci presented the lei on behalf of Fiji’s Catholic people.
“Our marriage tribunal in Suva was dead for many years – Bishop McGuckin helped bring it back to life,” she said shortly before the ordination started.
“The presentation of the lei acknowledges his contribution over seven years.”
Ms Kuriuci spoke of then Monsignor McGuckin’s visits to Fiji as a representative of Parramatta diocese’s tribunal.
She said the initiative was started by Bishop Kevin Manning.
Each of the visits lasted about a fortnight. Canon lawyers Fr Peter Blayney and Paula Kerr formed part of the group visiting Fiji.
Ms Kuriuci had started in the archdiocese of Suva in 1978 as a clerk.
“I came to the tribunal around 1996 and was very disheartened to watch it winding down until it was dead.
“Then things started to change and in 2006 the tribunal was brought back to life.”
Ms Kuriuci said that, over the years, a close relationship had been formed with the visitors.
So it was with a heavy heart she presented the lei to Bishop McGuckin during his episcopal ordination as Bishop of Toowoomba.
“My bishop has been taken away,” she said.
“I’m very jealous of Toowoomba – I already miss him.
“I don’t think he’ll ever come again to Fiji in this role now he’s Bishop of Toowoomba.”
However, a final celebration still remains.
“Today’s presentation of the lei is just the start of a ceremony which will be completed in Fiji on July 23,” Ms Kuriuci said.
“Here, he will be acknowledged as ‘a big chief’ of the island.
“We will never forget what he and the other Church representatives have done for us.”
Bishop McGuckin, in a post-ordination press conference, said he was looking forward to attending the ceremony.
He said he had been teaching others to continue work in Fiji’s tribunal.
“The training I’ve had is not to just do things myself but to teach other people so they can fulfil those roles,” he said.
