REPORT OF VISIT TO THE ARCHDIOCESE REPORT OF VISIT TO THE ARCHDIOCESE
(28/06/2007)
At the first meeting of the Workshop "Access right - right of inheritance and land rights in French Polynesia, "June 23, 2007 (10 participants), it was agreed to begin work by hearing 'privileged witnesses' problems in this area.
At the suggestion of Father Patrick Cairo, the applicant AJPF, a meeting was held, Thursday, June 28, at 14:30, at the Archdiocese of Papeete, Gaspar Mahagi with the deacon, diocesan treasurer for 6 years, is among other charges, responsible for managing the property assets of the Catholic Mission.
attended this meeting Catherine Chodzko, Adele Teata, Maniana Raoulx, tepore Redoute, Serge Taputuarai Patrick Cairo.
question: What are the critical issues faced by the Catholic Mission on land?
Legal Structure of the Catholic Mission in Polynesia :
There are two autonomous entities in Polynesia: (1) The Archdiocese of Papeete (French Polynesia, including all except the Marquesas Islands) has its headed by Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath currently, (2) The Diocese of Tefenuaenata (Including the Marquesas), which is headed by a bishop, now Archbishop Guy Knight.
(1) For the Archdiocese of Papeete: The Board of Directors of the Catholic Mission in Tahiti and Addictions (CAMI.CA.), resulting from the Decree 'Mandel', 16 January 1939, which gives legal personality to mission as a community to manage its overall assets, was created August 14, 1939 in Papeete. The bishop, head of the Catholic Mission, is both the legal representative and the President accountable. Under his signature, he may delegate to the congregations, and congregations religious or other institutions, asset management that are affected. The
CAMI.CA. is composed of 14 members. Its board meets at least once a month.
(2) For the Diocese of Tefenuaenata: The Board of Directors of the Catholic Mission of the Marquesas Islands.
(From: Archdiocese of Papeete - Diocese of Tefenuaenata, Yearbook 2005, Papeete, December 2004, pp. 11 & 47)
Issues raised during the meeting :
1) Use of alternative baptism to establish the acts of notoriety, for the preparation of genealogies so important in cases of land.
2) Heritage Land Catholic Church: Catholic Mission land in almost all the islands, acquired by contract of sale, gift, by prescription. In many cases these were simple in early settlements, where the priests were sometimes made to sign papers. Most plots are constructed (churches, meeting rooms, schools, etc..). Little land mobilized.
3) 'Policy' Land of the Mission : Conservation or sale? There was a time when the Mission was sold a lot for the construction of subdivisions social partnership with the Territory, or to finance construction projects for parishes or other church institutions. Since 2006, halting sales.
4) Current Issues: a.
Claims: some people ask to question the donations made by their ancestors.
b. Regularization of titles: by prescription thirties, if not paper, for ten right, as if under private seal.
c. Transcript mortgages, only in case of problem, because excessive cost of transcription. We just normally register for the cadastre.
5) solutions?
a. Dialogue + speak clearly (the problem is that when people talk about land, for example when there is a meeting before the Commission for Conciliation, they are not listening).
b. There is violence, because there is misunderstanding, ignorance of the law, lack of confidence in justice.
LITTLE NOTICE ON THE VALLEY OF THE MISSION TO PAPEETE
After its debut at the Gambier Islands in 1834, where she has left a great number of remarkable monuments still visible today, Catholic mission moved to Tahiti in 1849 on the initiative 1 Vicar Apostolic of Tahiti, Bishop Tepano Jaussen arrived in Oceania in the same year. The new Vicar Apostolic
is a visionary. He thinks big. To prepare for the future, he seized every opportunity to provide the Mission of infrastructure that it still lives today.
is December 8, 1855 it acquired, through songs, the "Valley of the Mission" (750 ha in the cash portion mountain), then bush area surrounding the swamp and river Papeava, which it begins immediately agricultural development.
With some of the accumulated material to the Cathedral whose construction is revealed problem, the brothers Theophilus, Cyprian and Alexander have constructed, from July 1870 to July 1873, a beautiful stone house which will serve as common house to house missionaries when they visit or for spiritual retreats. But only in May 1875 the new bishopric was inaugurated.
This amazing building, colonial style, with its massive foundations that support two floors, surrounded by galleries that circle the building, and whose high roof is topped by a gazebo which sits a clock, gives a strong impression robustness.
Attacked by termites, this stately home experience a first renovation in 1935, then a second, more important, in 1982 (current) just before the celebration of the Jubilee of 150 years of Catholic Mission in Tahiti (1834-1984).
The Diocese of Papeete is one of the last and most beautiful ancient buildings of the capital, with the chapel attached to it quickly. Built by the brother Theophilus in the Gothic style, this small jewel of architecture is spent, December 21, 1877, by Bishop Tepano Jaussen who dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The beautiful garden planted with rare trees by Bishop and Bishop Tepano Jaussen Michel Coppenrath, his worthy successor, is the setting for his masterpieces. It recognizes in particular the famous walnut trees planted by the first Vicar Apostolic (the two large trees between the front gate and the chapel) and the equally famous Mango graft, which give the "mango-mission."
Rapporteur: Father Patrick Cairo
