The Trustees
THE Trustees of the PCC are the Archbishop of the Diocese of Polynesia (vacant after the death of Archbishop Fereimi Cama); the Secretary General of the Conference of Pacific Bishops (vacant); the Principal of the Pacific Theological College, Reverend Dr Upolu Vaai; and the General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend James Bhagwan.
The Executive
THE Executive Committee meets once a year. Headed by the PCC Moderator, Reverend Dr Tevita Havea, (pictured) of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, its members are: Deaconess Tamalesi Makutu, Methodist Church in Fiji and Deputy Moderator (by Constitution the posts of moderator and deputy must be male and female or vice versa); Pastor Wakira, Eglise Protestante de Kanaky Nouvelle Caledonie (Francophone representative); Shane Ashley, Catholic Bishops of Papua New Guinea (Youth representative); Deaconess Salanieta Naucabalavu, Methodist Fiji (Womens representative); Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, Catholic Bishops Conference; Pastor Kalahati Kilei, Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu and Esline Toamavule, Church of Christ Vanuatu (small churches); Reverend Sepi’uta Hala’api’api, Diocese of Polynesia and Nga Mataio, Cook Islands Christian Church (medium churches); Elder Mafutaga Fa’alegoa, Congregational American Samoa and Reverend Tunupopo Patu, Congregational Samoa (large churches); Rev Tevita Nawadra, Fiji and Rev Ikani Tolu, Tonga (national councils of churches). The Principal of the Pacific Theological College and General Secretary of the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools are members of the committee. In effect, the Executive Committee is the PCC General Assembly outside of the General Assembly which meets every four years.
Finance and General Business
THE Finance and General Business Committee is the first line of governance for the PCC Secretariat. It comprises Livai Tuisaravere, trustee and former accountant of the Methodist Church in Fiji; Reverend Dr Bruce Yeats of the St Andrew’s Church in Suva; Reverend Sepi’uta Hala’api’api of the Diocese of Polynesia; and the General Secretary of the PCC. This committee is mandated to meet once a quarter and reports to the Executive Committee.
The General Assembly
THE General Assembly is the governing body of the PCC and meets every four years. Its next meeting will be in Kanaky (New Caledonia) in 2023. All member churches and national councils are entitled to send delegates who vote on the position of General Secretary and membership of the Executive Committee. Member churches must ensure representation of women and youth at the assembly which is preceded by workshops on issues of regional, ecumenical and gender importance.
Pacific Church Leaders Meeting
EVERY year a group of Pacific church leaders gathers to discuss issues of relevance ranging from climate change to nuclear testing and gender-based violence to political self-determination. The meeting serves as a reminder to the PCC Secretariat, churches, and regional organisations on the significant role the church plays in the region. The Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting is a cross section of the PCC General Assembly and is represented by churches from the Northern Pacific, Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia. In 2020, representatives of the Australian government were invited to discuss issues of mutual interest – including migrant workers – with the PCLM at a meeting held at the Pacific Theological College. The most recent PCLM meetings have been held virtually and included discussions with Dame Meg Taylor, former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.