Sacred Heart Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in South Tarawa, Kiribati.
Sacred Heart Cathedral is a church building in South Tarawa with white walls and a tower topped by a cross. It stands in the heart of the Teinainano Urban Council and serves as the central place for religious gatherings in the region.
The building became the bishop's seat in 1966 when the diocese moved from Tabiteuea to Tarawa. This transfer marked an important moment in establishing the Catholic administrative structure across the Pacific islands.
The cathedral is where the Catholic community of Kiribati gathers to pray and worship together. Here, Christian practices blend with the island's local traditions in everyday religious life.
The building sits in the Teaoraereke district and is easy to reach via the main road of South Tarawa. Services are held in English and Gilbertese, so visitors can follow along with the proceedings.
The building serves not only as the bishop's seat for Tarawa but also holds this role for Nauru, another nation on the opposite side of the Pacific. This unusual church responsibility reflects the special conditions of pastoral care across scattered island communities.
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