Nuku’alofa – July 2024. The Hon Consul General of the Kingdom of Tonga, Mr. Anthony Bailey, paid a courtesy visit to His Eminence Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tonga, at the Toutaimana Catholic Centre. During their meeting, Mr. Bailey and the Cardinal discussed the significance of the 104 Tongans who traveled to Portugal in August 2023 to attend World Youth Day, a momentous event for both the Tongan community and the Catholic Church.
One of the key highlights of the conversation was the audience granted by Pope Francis to the Tongan pilgrims at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The Cardinal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Mr Bailey and the staff as the Consulate General for their unwavering support and the courtesies extended to the pilgrims, many of whom were visiting Portugal for the first time.
The Cardinal specifically acknowledged the logistical and financial assistance provided by the Consul General, which made it possible for the Tongan pilgrims to travel to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, located three hours north of Lisbon. This special pilgrimage was an integral part of the Tongan delegation’s journey, and Mr. Bailey’s efforts in ensuring its success were deeply appreciated.
This meeting highlights the continued collaboration between Tonga and Portugal, with the Consulate General playing an instrumental role in strengthening the ties between the two nations, especially in terms of supporting Tongan citizens visiting Portugal.
Later during the trip to Tonga and at the invitation of Cardinal Mafi, Anthony Bailey attended a dinner held in his honour by His Eminence and the Diocese of Tonga. Among those attending were many of the pilgrims who travelled to Portugal for World Youth Day.
In particular the pilgrims thanked Mr Bailey for hosting them at the Tonga Consulate General in Sintra and for the welcome ceremony for the pilgrims to meet the Head of the Portuguese Royal House, HRH The Duke of Braganza.
Cardinal Mafi accepted an invitation from the Hon Consul General to visit Portugal during 2025 and discussions were held about organising another pilgrimage of Tongans to Portugal in the near future.
