Pacific military chaplains gather in Oakland for faith forum

Chaplains attending the first Pacific Defence Faith Network were welcomed at Te Taua Moana Marae at Devonport Naval Base.
photo: New Zealand Defence Force

Twenty-five pastors from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea gathered in Auckland for the conference.

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Chaplain Dave Lacey said the first Pacific Defence Faith Network was an opportunity to get to know each other better and explore how they could support each other and work more closely together in the future.

“Having a trans-Pacific network of faiths provides us with a unique opportunity to connect to a degree and in ways that have never been possible before,” he said.

Church services will be led by priests from Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea, and the United Church service will be led by the Anglican Bishop of the New Zealand Defence Force, Te Kitohi ‘Kito’ Pikaahu.

Bishop Pikahu said the aim of the Uniting Church service was to bring Auckland’s Pacific community together to worship together.

“Whether it’s village life, town life or church life, priests play a vital role in Pacific identity,” he said.

“Chaplains in the military play a critical role and are a ‘force for good,’ especially in island nations experiencing conflict.

Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu (left), Anglican Bishop of the New Zealand Defence Force, and Dave Lacey, Chief Chaplain (Operations), Chaplain of the New Zealand Defence Force
photo: New Zealand Defence Force

“We have moral and ethical authority, especially in countries experiencing conflict, because chaplains can deploy with troops to provide stability and community engagement.”

The Fiji Army Chaplaincy Department said in a statement that Army Chaplain Major Tunidau, Assistant Chaplain Captain Tama and Army Missionary Warrant Officer 2 Nabola were in New Zealand for the forum.

The aim, the statement said, was to “structure and set cyber boundaries in the Pacific and build relationships with other Pacific religious leaders”.

The New Zealand Defence Force has more than 30 chaplains serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Rev. Lacey said they play a vital role in the well-being of service members.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen faith-based relationships between different nations and further support our people, which is very unique.”

The forum was held at Devonport Naval Base and Auckland Air Force Base at Wainuapay on Friday.