Girard0243

22 February 1843 - Father Catherin Servant to Father Étienne Buffard, Futuna

Summary

Father Buffard was the parish priest of Servant’s natal parish. Servant, who replaced St Peter Chanel on Futuna about mid-1842, describes the rapid christianising of the island in the previous eight months: the number of baptisms, communions , and confessions. However it is clear that not all is sweetness and light, some of the “conquerors’” party are reluctant to accept the rule of Sam Keletaona, because he is from the “conquered” faction on the island, and are making things difficult for Servant, Roulleaux and Brother Marie Nizier. He ends on an optimistic note.