The Conference of Major Superiors of the Pacific Islands assembly took place in Suva, the capital of Fiji in Oceania, from August 28 to September 3, 2023.

The theme of the assembly was "Towards a Synodal Church: Exploring Hopes, Dreams, and Challenges."

Sr. Abby Avelino MM, and Sr. Colleen Jackson RSC, together with ACRATH member Fr Peter O’Neill, ssc led a day on human trafficking during the Assembly. This gathering was universally agreed to be a significant gathering for the Church of the Pacific - as well as for Talitha Kum. It was the first assembly after a long break due to the covid pandemic. But more significantly it was more inclusive of the whole Church of the Pacific than it had ever been. Participants (over 200 in total) included not only the leaders of the religious congregations present in the Pacific, but also women and men religious from across the region (and across age spans), seminarians, lay people, 3 bishops (including a retired Anglican Bishop of Suva) and a small number of priests. This was an important development in collegiality and cooperation for the good of the Church and wider community in the Pacific.

“The assembly was a fire with determination to act! Several robust recommendations concerning human trafficking were among the assembly conclusions. Notably, CMSPI has resolved to commence a process with Talitha Kum/UISG to form a network in the Pacific. This is an exciting development for the Pacific – and also for the wider region, including ACRATH and TKANZ.”

Sr. Colleen Jackson, RSC, Talitha Kum Regional Coordinator of Oceania

Congratulations for the networks in Oceania! 

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September 26th, 2023