Murdered teen laid to rest on Palm Sunday

FIJI – She was to have taken part in the weekend’s Palm Sunday service which is celebrated in many Christian churches around Fiji.

The day is celebrated by processions in which palm fronds are waved by children reenacting the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Mere Ailevu Macedru did not participate in the service at her local village as she was murdered a few days ago.

The 14-year-old was farewelled instead by hundreds of mourners from all walks of life at the Arts Village cemetery at Pacific Harbour.

A wave of emotion swept over the crowd when students of Lomary Catholic Primary School, which Mere attended, sang the hymns, Lord I long to See You Face to Face and Our Father Who Art in Heaven.

Officiating at the funeral service, pastor Tavaga Narawa of the Assemblies of God Church at Vunibuabua in Deuba, said death was an integral part of life as everyone must eventually die.

He was assisted by Joe Kacesi, the senior pastor of the Church of God in Deuba – where Mere and her family used to worship.

Mere, who was the eldest in her family, was carried to her classroom for a final time on Sunday for five minutes, then to her home for another five minutes, then to her final resting place.

Mere’s mother, Sili Keni, is pleading with the police to apprehend the person who committed the heinous act.

Police are requesting the full co-operation of the public for information that may lead to the arrest of whoever caused Mere’s death.

Spokeswoman Naina Ragigia said they would continue to pursue all avenues of investigation and information gathering and urged the public to come forward with whatever information they had regarding the incident. - Fiji Times