Building bridges across Oceania through dignified and respectful migration, and fostering ministry through digital communication, were among the issues on the agenda for Catholic bishops meeting in the Western Pacific island of Guam.
The largest of the Mariana and Micronesian islands hosted the Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania Executive Committee meeting, which began on May 18 and concluded on May 20.
It is the first such meeting to be led by Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez of the Archdiocese of Agaña (Guam).
The former Vice-President of the FCBCO was automatically elevated to President when Archbishop Anthony Randazzo relinquished the position to take up his appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts.
Archbishop Randazzo will move from the Diocese of Broken Bay (NSW) to Rome in June. Australia was represented at the meeting by Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli, who was recently elected to the role at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference plenary, and Vice-President of FCBCO and Bishop of Wollongong Brian Mascord, who attended remotely.
Also attending were Archbishop Paul Martin SM of the Archdiocese of Wellington (New Zealand); Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of the Archdiocese of Suva (Fiji); Bishop Justin Ain Soongie of the Diocese of Wabag (Papua New Guinea); Bishop Peter Houhou of the Diocese of Auki (Solomon Islands); Bishop Michael Dooley of the Diocese of Dunedin (New Zealand); and ACBC General Secretary Fr Chris De Souza.
The opening day featured a traditional welcome ceremony on the beach at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Tumon, featuring songs and prayers in the Chamoru indigenous language presented by children from the Chief Hurao Academy charter school.
After important discussions on FCBCO’s statutes, synodal implementation, among other matters on the first day, the bishops visited the Shrine of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Spanish Jesuit missionary who was martyred in 1672 while bringing Christianity to the island.
Local Catholic businessman and benefactor Peter “Sonny” Ada led a tour of the property owned by his family. The FCBCO members concluded day one with a reception featuring local Chamoru culture, hosted by the Honorable Jesse Alig, Mayor of the municipality of Piti.
Discussion centered on the future role of FCBCO and how it can become more effective, synodal, and collegial – building networks and relationships across the region and strengthening ministry. The bishops also discussed how the body could assist in the formation of laity, priests, and bishops, as well as make better use of digital technology to foster relationships across the region. Migration’s impact on both sending and receiving countries was also discussed.
A key issue was modern slavery. The bishops engaged with the FCBCO’s submission to the inquiry into modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional NSW. FCBCO affirmed its ongoing work through the Migrants and Refugees Oceania Network (MRON).
Initial discussions regarding the Plenary Assembly of all bishops in Oceania in 2028 have been undertaken. The Executive Committee will solicit ideas and recommendations from all bishops across the region on topics of pastoral and ecclesial relevance for consideration during the assembly. Among the initial suggestions raised by the Executive Committee are: continued reflection on synodality and its implementation, the impact of globalisation, the role of young people, safeguarding, formation, clergy capacity-building, indigenous peoples, care for our common home, and catechesis among other concerns.
The 2028 Plenary Assembly, to be held in Sydney, will take place in advance of the International Eucharistic Congress.
An islandwide celebration of the Holy Eucharist took place on Tuesday evening, attended by more than 1,000 Catholic faithful at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña.
Archbishop Ryan Jimenez presided, while Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Suva, Fiji, preached at the Mass. The homily centered on this theme: Christ’s prayer calls the Church in Oceania to unity, courageous witness, and prophetic stewardship of creation, especially in the face of rejection, injustice and ecological crisis.
The Executive Committee Meeting concluded with a dinner at Government House, hosted by the Honorable Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam, and the Honorable Josh Tenorio, Lieutenant Governor.
The FCBCO comprises the four bishops’ conferences in Oceania: the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference; the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference; the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands; and the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC).