Solomon Islands Bishops Hold First Meeting for 2026 at Holy Name of Mary Seminary

ON TUESDAY10th March 2026, The three bishops of the Solomon Islands – Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP (Honiara), Bishop Peter Houhou (Gizo), and Bishop Jacob Aba (Auki) – held their first meeting of 2026 yesterday at the Holy Name of Mary Seminary.

The bishops met separately among themselves, with the seminary lecturers and rector, and with seminarian students from each diocese. The visit include with a Eucharistic celebration, during which five spiritual year students received their cassocks.

The three Bishops of the Solomon Islands, together with the priests who teaches at the Holy Name of Mary Seminary (HNMS), joyfully pose with John and the five seminarians as they receive their cassocks.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Jacob Aba and assisted by Archbishop Cardone, Bishop Houhou, and the seminary priests who also serve as lecturers, along with Deacon Levi.

In his homily, Bishop Aba challenged and encouraged the seminarians: “If you seek to be a priest for power or authority, you are mistaken. True priesthood is about shaping your life for heaven and serving the salvation of God’s people. The Church needs you to bring Christ to others.

He said, “Have you experienced God’s forgiveness? Your formation is not merely to hold the title of priest but to live a life of holiness. Let your cassock be a sign of your commitment to God, not for show. Ordination alone does not grant salvation; it must be lived with love for God and neighbor.”

The three Bishops of the Solomon Islands with the priests and lecturers of Holy Name of Mary Seminary (HNMS), together with the seminarian brothers and the sisters who faithfully serve the seminary community.

Bishop Aba encouraged the seminarians to embrace challenges as stepping stones toward becoming effective missionaries, reminding them that through their lives, Christ will be present among the faithful.

The cassock ceremony marks a significant milestone in the seminarians’ journey, symbolizing their dedication to God and the Church. The bishops’ meeting focused on pastoral priorities and initiatives for 2026, with particular attention to the development of seminarian formation, the needs of their dioceses, and advancing the mission of the Church in the Solomon Islands.