The Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania will meet in Sydney from May 10-14, gathering prelates from more than a dozen countries around the region. The event, held once every four years in different countries, will be attended by bishops from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and other countries in the Pacific.
They include the Mariana Islands, Guam, Noumea, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Tahiti, with representation from East Timor and the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference.
"The current Executive has worked over the past four years to ensure that this 2010 Sydney meeting, of the Pastors of the Local Churches of Oceania, will further progress our communion, our collaboration and our mutual understanding of the joys, hopes, grief and anguish through which we work in making Jesus Christ better known and loved among the peoples of Oceania, as we walk his way, tell his truth and live his life," said President of the FCBCO Bishop Peter Ingham in a statement.
"The Church in Oceania is diverse and far-reaching, with different challenges in each of its countries. We come together for this Assembly to learn from and support one another as bishops and share the many gifts of our dioceses," he said.
The opening concelebrated Mass at St Mary's Cathedral will be led by Cardinal George Pell and Bishop Peter Ingham will preach. Sessions of the Assembly will be held at Sancta Sophia College at the University of Sydney, the statement said.
Speakers from a number of religious congregations and orders have been invited to give keynote presentations and conduct workshops during the event.
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