shortly after he had ordained a Fijian into the priesthood at Westminster Cathedral, London, on Saturday.
The Fijian, Fr. Beato Ratuloco, the son of Ratu Vika, the chief of Solevu, on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji, had been studying in Rome and it was decided to have the ordination in London to give his many Fijian friends, now living in England, an opportunity to meet him.
Among those taking part in the ceremony was Fr. Thomas Foley, headmaster of the Marist Brothers Primary School, at Cawaci, Fiji, where Fr. Ratuloco was at one time a pupil.
After the ordination the Fijians met at the nearby Sacred Heart Hall, Horseferry Road and celebrated according to ancient Fijian custom. With some of them in traditional dress. they squatted on native mats while their leader, Tomasi Vakatora made a short speech in Fijian.
Then, on his knees, he offered a garlanded whale's tooth to the bishop.
The Kava, or Yanggona ceremony followed. The powdered root of a Fijian plant was mixed with water in a large four-legged wooden bowl with the Fijians sitting in a semicircle beside it.
The bowl-bearer, Kasiano Qaduadua, a rifleman in the Royal Ulster Rifles, stationed at Salisbury, received a half coconut shell of the drink, and on his knees, offered it to the Bishop.
In accordance with custom, the Bishop swallowed it without pause and returned the shell. It was then refilled and offered to other guests.
HENRY FOLEY