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 on the Western Pacific island of Guam. Source: ACBC Media Blog.
The largest of the Mariana and Micronesian islands hosted the Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania executive committee meeting, which began on Monday and concluded yesterday.
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 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.
Discussion centred 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. The impact of migration 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.
The bishops of Oceania will hold a Plenary Assembly in 2028, to take place ahead of International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney.Â
Among the initial suggestions raised by the executive committee for discussion at the plenary are 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.
FULL STORY
Ministry and migration on agenda for Oceania bishops (ACBC Media Blog)
