100 year old Moamoa Theological College & church to be renovated

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA 13 JULY 2022: Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga has approved a TVthon to raise funds to renovate the hundred and forty-four year old Moamoa Theological College and its iconic church building inside the campus.

Fr. Pesamino Victor who is also the Rector of the school said the initiative is to overcome the challenge of catechists dropping out from school due to the weak and antiquated houses in the campus.

“In the beginning, only about 10 couples were educated in the College. To date, the number has dropped to 21 from 30 and the current condition of the living quarters given how old they are was one of the reasons why,” he said.

The TVthon fundraiser is to renovate the houses used by the catechists educated at the College and their wives and children, renovate the church building, classrooms, shelters for priest teachers as well as a new computer lab.

The fundraising target is $3million; $1million for the homes of the catechists, $1million for the church building and $1million to renovate the school buildings, library, shelters of the teachers and the Computer Lab.

The TVthon will kick off this Saturday 16 July at Moamoa, a tent in front of government building and Doc Bosco in Salelologa, Savaii.

Members of the TVthon organising committee.

Meanwhile, over 20 catechists and approximately 10 seminaries are currently enrolled in the College.

According to the Rector, one of the main objectives of the Moamoa College is to increase number of Catholic catechists to work in the field.

One of the major changes in the church over the last hundred years is the changing of the Catechist’s title to that of Deacon.

“So the College will now become an education centre for Deacons as they won’t be catechists anymore,” Fr. Victor said.

A Seminary will also be established to educate seminarians who are being trained and educated to become priests.

History of the Moamoa Theological College:

Started in 1871 in Saleufi where the Savalalo St Marys School is currently located.

1877- Education for Catechists was established

1874 – School moved to Lalovaea for 34 years

1908 – Moved to current location at Moamoa

According to Fr. Victor, ninety percent of the catechists of the Catholic Church in Samoa were educated from Moamoa with some having moved to Tokelau and American Samoa to serve.