Manasseh Maelanga, the Solomon Islands Minister of Home Affairs and MP for East Malaita, has been ordained a priest in the Anglican Church of Melanesia.

The ordination took place on Pentecost Sunday at Tabaakwaru Village in East Malaita, one week after Mr Maelanga was sworn in as a minister in the government of Prime Minister Matthew Wale.

The Rt Rev Michael Bebeu, Bishop of the Diocese of Malaita, presided at the service and formally admitted Mr Maelanga to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Malaita.

Mr Maelanga completed his theological training through the Theological Education by Distance programme and is a graduate of Bishop Patteson Theological College.

Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade attended the service on behalf of the Solomon Islands government.