The bishops of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences (FCBCO) meeting this week in Suva, Fiji, have elected Most Rev Anthony Randazzo DD JCL, Bishop of Broken Bay, as the new President of the FCBCO.
“The Church in Oceania reaches from the West Coast of Australia across the many Islands of the Pacific stretching across both the Southern and Northern hemispheres. Many peoples and cultures, lands and waterways united in one confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
“Having been chosen as President of the FCBCO, it is my fervent prayer that the churches of Oceania will walk the way of Christ together in a spirit of synodality,” Bishop Randazzo said following his election.
The Suva assembly discussions with the bishops, religious and laity have included a pastoral plan for the entire region, environmental and commercial impacts, the path of synodality and the formation for mission.
“Our first joy is to proclaim Christ to the world in all times and place, to all peoples and cultures. Our vocation as missionary disciples of Christ is to meet people where they are, to listen and accompany them in love, joy, and peace.
“Oceania is immense, and so working together is not merely a choice, it is an essential way for ministry, life, and mission.,” Bishop Randazzo said.
During the week the assembly heard the news of the devastating earthquakes that rocked southern Turkey and Syria. They sent a message of prayerful condolence and solidarity to Church and civic leaders as the toll of those who have died and are injured keeps rising.
The FCBCO is the regional grouping that comprises the Australian Bishops Conference, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC).
CEPAC includes Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.
Bishop Randazzo will be part of an eight-member executive council that will lead the work of the Federation in preparation for the next FCBCO assembly in Australia in 2027.