Preparations Underway for the Inauguration of the Diocese of Southern Malaita and Sikaiana, and the Consecration of Reverend Rickson Mamaoru as First Bishop

Preparations are progressing smoothly for the historic inauguration of the Diocese of Southern Malaita and Sikaian Diocese, alongside the consecration and installation of Reverend Rickson Mamaoru as the first bishop of the new diocese. The event is set to take place at Saint Barnabas Church in Sa'a Village, Small Malaita, and promises to be a momentous occasion for the local Anglican community.

According to updates on the Sa’a Village Facebook page, the local community and parishioners are eagerly preparing for the grand event. Regional leaders, clergy, and Christians from across the area, including West Areare, East Areare, Small Malaita, and Sikaiana, are looking forward to this significant religious milestone.

The new Diocese of Southern Malaita and Sikaian will serve as a separate ecclesiastical entity within the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), effectively splitting the existing diocese and forming a distinct jurisdiction. This move is designed to better serve the growing Christian population and enhance church operations across the region. The new diocese will span from Arekwa Region in the west to Kwaio Region in the east, extending all the way to Sikaiana Island.

The consecration service will be attended by an array of distinguished guests, including:

Governor General of Solomon Islands

ACOM Chancellor, MMTB NSW, Australia

Mr. Roger Kerr, Melanesian Mission Trust Board, New Zealand

Right Reverend Donald Kirk, Diocese of Riverina, NSW, Australia

Retired Bishop Willie Pwaishop, Melanesian Mission, United Kingdom

Right Reverend James Tama, Bishop of Vanuatu & New Caledonia


In addition to these dignitaries, representatives from all 10 ACOM dioceses, as well as thousands of Christians from the surrounding regions, will attend this historical event. The congregation will include people from West Areare, East Areare, Small Malaita, Sikaiana, and other parts of the country, underscoring the wide-reaching significance of this event.

The inauguration and consecration ceremony will mark a new chapter in the history of the Anglican Church in Malaita, and the community of Sa’a Village is honored to host this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The church and the diocese look forward to the continued growth and development of the Christian faith in the region.

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