Online: 28, 29 and 30 November 2022
Oceania Preparatory Event
Supported by
Experience a synodal process of storytelling, reflection, practical theology and dialogue, in preparation for the 2023 Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO) General Assembly.
The preparatory event, Our Ocean Home, will be held online on 28 – 30 November 2022, together with Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The style and format of Our Ocean Home are framed by processes of storytelling, reflection and theological dialogue, akin to cultural experiences of Talanoa or yarning-circle style conversations.
As described by Dr Seu’ula Johansson-Fua (PDF), an educational researcher from Tonga, “Talanoa is a generic term referring to a conversation, chat, sharing of ideas and talking with someone. It is a term that is shared by Tongans, Samoans and Fijians. Talanoa can be formal, as between chiefs and his or her people, and it can be informal, as between friends in a kava circle. Talanoa is also used for different purposes: to teach a skill, to share ideas, to preach, to resolve problems, to build and maintain relationships, and to gather information.”
Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops of the Bishops’ Conferences of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, and the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (Conferentia Episcopalis Pacifici or CEPAC), will be invited to this event. Consecrated and lay women and men, young people, ecumenical networks and ecclesial regional networks are all welcome to join in the spirit of synodal action.
The FCBCO General Assembly will be held at the Archdiocese of Suva in Fiji from 5 – 10 February 2023. Chief guest Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will preside at the opening Eucharist on 5 February and deliver the opening address.
In the spirit of the synodal process, this event is open to all. It is also being offered in multiple languages. Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Our Ocean Home has been designed for the purpose of:
Three natural and spiritual themes will be explored to experience a biogeographic and spiritual journey in Oceania. The gifts of the shores and coasts will be explored on the first day, the deep sea on day two, and island life of Oceania on the third day.
Each day will open with a welcome message from spiritual leaders in the church in Oceania on the theme for the day.
This event offers an integral ecological synodal process for the region of Oceania, designed to catalyse an ecclesial movement of care for our ocean home. Expert storytellers have been invited to contribute from their unique lived experience in Oceania. The process begins with stories from First Nations people, scientific knowledge holders and practitioners in the Pacific.
Voices from the Pacific will lead us into moments of prayerful reflection about the diverse beauty of life in the biome of Oceania, with the beautiful iconography of vulnerable aquatic species by artist Angela Manno.
Practical theologians from within Oceania will share their deep understanding of the gifts we have received in the region. Dialogue in small groups will be encouraged to help generate insights, wisdom and recommendations for pathways into the future. This event is being offered in multiple languages, this includes Bislama Pidgin, Tok Pisin, Auslan, French and English.
Our Ocean Home will be comprised of three online sessions – one different session each day at the same time.
Monday 28 November 2022
Tuesday 29 November 2022
Wednesday 30 November 2022
Complete and submit this form to attend Our Ocean Home, a preparatory event for the 2023 Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO) General Assembly. This event will be held online on 28 – 30 November 2022.
After registration, you will receive an email containing a Zoom link for participation in all three online sessions.
If you have questions or require further information, please contact us by email at oceania@acu.edu.au.
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Monday to Friday
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