Our leaders speak to power

THE decision by Archbishop George Takeli of the Anglican Church of Melanesia to fight the Solomon Islands Election comes at the end of a week in which the regional church has regained its prophetic voice to the world.

Archbishop Takeli said he had decided to enter politics because the country needed credible leaders. It was a direct challenge to politicians in a country riddled with corruption for over two decades.

Earlier in the week, Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan, returned from West Papua with international ecumenical leaders.

The visit noted with concern the continued human rights abuse in West Papua despite 20 years of campaigning by church groups and concerned organisations and individuals.

Strategic plan takes shape

EXECUTIVES and management of the Pacific Conference of Churches have started work on a five-year strategic plan.

A planning session was held at the Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour thius month attended by Moderator, Reverend Dr Tevita Havea, General Secretary, Rev James Bhagwan and outgoing GS Rev Francois Pihaatae.

Fiji-based executives and management reviewed the work of the PCC until December 2018 and drafted initiatives for the 2019-2023 phase of programmes to be rolled out through the region.

Takeli to fight elections

ARCHBISHOP George Takeli – head of the Anglican Church of Melanesia – will fight the Solomon Islands Elections this year.

Takeli stood down from his post on Friday, a month before his retirement, and announced his candidacy.

Church staff were told that Takeli made the decision because there was a need for good leaders in the Solomon Islands.

The country has been wracked by political corruption for more than 20 years.

Vaai heads theological college

SAMOA’S Reverend Dr Upolu Vaai has been appointed principal of the Pacific Theological College.

An ordained minister of the Samoan Methodist Church, Vaai was Associate Professor and Head of Theology and Ethics at the PTC before his appointment.

A widely published author on contextual theology and relational hermeneutics, Vaai replaced Rev Dr Fele Nokisa who served as principal for over 20 years.

Vaai taught theology and ethics at Piula Theological College in Samoa in 2001 and from 2008–2013 and at the Brisbane College of Theology from 2003-2005.

Fiji Catholics prepare for synod

FIJI’S Roman Catholic Church will hold a synod in Jine, the first in 29 years.

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the synod would reflect on current pastoral challenges and develop plans for the future. Among issues to be discussed will be rapid social and cultural change, the climate, globalization and gender-based violence.

At the heart of the discussions will be a specific focus on the family. The development of Bible Study Groups within the family will form the backbone of the church moving from 2019 to the future.

Reweaving the Ecological Mat

REGIONAL church leaders will meet in Nadi, Fiji, in March to discuss a Christian and traditional model for development.

Wellness and wellbeing of communities will be the focus of this model rather than the Western-based development structures linked to materialism, creation of wealth and unjust distribution of profits from resources.

More than 40 participants from seven countries will attend the week-long event from March 4 at the Skylodge Hotel, Nadi.

This programme is a collaborative effort between the PCC and the PTC’s Institute for Mission and Research.

Leaders visit Australia

MELANESIAN church leaders have visited Australia in an initiative designed to foster better relations between churches.

Leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea visited three key cities and met senior Australian church and government figures.

The visit came weeks after Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, visited the region in an effort to restore damaged relationships with Melanesia.

Church leads hostel project

A HOSTEL for Tongan students is taking shape in the Fijian capital, Suva.

The hostel will provide accommodation for Tongan students at the University o the South Pacific while a hall downstairs will be available as a prayer and worship centre.

Named Api Tonga, the facility is built on land bought by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga at Flagstaff, less than a kilometre from the university.

Free Wesleyan Church General Secretary, Reverend Dr Tevita Havea, said the hall would be available to all Tongans who wished to hold worship services.

Api Tonga should be ready for occupancy before the 2020 academic year. The site has been used for several years as a church and community centre which operated from a temporary facility.

Lutherans introduce shipping service

THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in PNG has resumed its shipping service with the commissioning of the MV Lalibu at Asiawe Wharf in Lae, Morobe Province.

Morobe Governor, Ginsin Saounu, launched the ship which will form the backbone of the ELCPNG fleet and operate to remote communities providing an important link to the mainland.

MV Lalibu is expected to operate to the provinces of New Britain and Oro to provide passenger and freight service