WelCom August 2024
New Caledonia’s Catholic community is in shock and disbelief after two of its historic missions were burned down by rioters. On 16 July, the 165-year-old Catholic Church in St Louis, near Nouméa, disappeared in flames. The iconic church was the last building standing after the Mission’s presbytery and residence for the Marist Sisters were also burned down by rioters following gun exchanges between a group of rioters and French gendarmes.