Catholic Hawaii - A Priest's Journey From Zambia to Hawaii

Photo courtesy of the Hawaii Reporter
Although, I have not personally met Fr. Peter Miti, I have been hearing wonderful things about him as a priest. He is one of four priests recently ordained in the Diocese of Honolulu.

Peter Miti vividly recalls his life in Zambia, Africa. One of 10 children, Peter completed primary and high school in his native country. But all around him, he saw poverty, disease and a deteriorating quality of life for thousands of people in Africa and he wanted to help.

A large part of the problem was HIV and AIDS was taking Africa by storm – neighbors and friends became ill and died, leaving by the thousands, young children parentless, homeless and penniless. Little children were left to fend for themselves and begged in the streets for food and money. Grandparents could only take so many of their grandchildren in, because they also relied on financial support in their waning years from their now deceased children.

Peter had a strong calling to join the Catholic priesthood. He became a member of the Passionists Order in neighboring Botswana in 1995, and worked with AIDS patients. He counseled them on the effects of the disease, how they should prepare for death and what they should do to protect and provide for their children legally and financially in their absence...

Hawaii Reporter Article, Our Hawaii Heroes Series - Fr. Peter Miti: Touching Lives in Hawaii and Zambia