Reflections on the Pacific Household of Faith

The theme of the Conference, Do Kamo comes from the language of the indigenous Kanaky people of New Caledonia who hosted the Assembly. It conveys the sense of transformation into our authentic selves — as the 12^th Assembly logo put it, “Christ Transform Us into your New Humanity!” Each day, different themes explored elements of this transformation – Ecumenical Fellowship, Self-determination, Ecological Stewardship and Child Protection and Empowerment.

In particular, the theme of self-determination came through strongly in many parts of the program. For two days prior to the opening of the Assembly, delegates were able to attend a number of different Pre-Assembly gatherings. For myself, this involved attending a two-day workshop run by the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools (SPATS). The first day of the workshop involved several talks about the values and approaches of a Pasifika theologies. In addition there was a stimulating talk by Peter Walker, Principal of United Theological College in the Synod of NSW/ACT, on future directions in Theological Education. The idea that Pacific communities need to move ‘beyond the eurocentric’ perception was a key theme reported from the SPATS gathering back to the whole Assembly later in the week.

For some nations represented at the Assembly, the struggle is in ‘decolonising’ minds and systems and living into a sense of indigenous identity. For other attendees, they are still being ruled by colonial powers and are part of ongoing discussions, debates and advocacy for self-determination in their own lands. This is the situation of the Kanaky people and delegates from the local church spoke eloquently and movingly about the privilege of hosting the Assembly and the sense of others standing in solidarity with their struggle for independence.

This sense of solidarity was regularly reinforced by repeated references to the ‘Pasifika Household’ or the ‘Pacific Household of Faith’. It became clear that this image of the household serves not only to reinforce a sense of relationship and of ‘family’ but is also a reminder of the rhythms and wisdom of the traditional household and of the indigenous ways of knowing which are fundamental to the type of transformation envisaged by the theme of the Assembly.

Another key metaphor throughout the meeting was of everyone belonging to the ‘blue pacific continent’. As I reflected on this, I thought that while this might resonate for some Australians, many other Australians, including indigenous communities, live far from the sea or on coastlines which are part of a different ocean from the Pacific. This seemed to me to be somewhat symbolic of our presence as a part of the PCC. While Australia sits on the edge of the same region as the Pacific Islands, we do so as a society shaped by colonialism and having been a colonial power in the region ourselves. I came away enormously grateful for the invitation to listen and to learn from the perspectives of the island nations of the Pacific, to hear of the ongoing struggle for self-determination, for freedom from the ‘soft colonialism’ still exercised by Western nations and the importance of forging new and indigenous theologies. It confirmed for me the UCA’s strong commitment to covenant and abiding advocacy for the call for truth-telling, treaty and voice in our own context and in our relationship with First peoples.

In a stirring Keynote Address on the first day of the Assembly, Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Winston Halapua, Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, said, “At best, we are people of collaboration not competition, of community not individualism, of hospitality not hostility. As such we need to be heard clearly beyond our region.” It was a pleasure for me to be in attendance at the PCC Assembly, and to hear clearly the wisdom of the Pacific through all the speakers, workshops and personal interactions I was able to enjoy.

Read the outcome statement from the Assembly

Follow more news from the General Assembly on the UnitingWorld Facebook page

Images from: UnitingWorld and Lindsay Cullen