Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi is the JPIC Coordinator (Region of Oceania), Columban Mission Office – Fiji.
Settling into my role as Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator and into the CMS office on the shores of Nasese, I anticipated a warm welcome, perhaps some light banter, the familiar ease of youthful camaraderie. What greeted me, however, was not the contrary to that, but something more reverent. It was a stillness I had come to know in recent days: the Chair of St. Peter was vacant – Sede Vecante. Like millions of Catholics around the world, I was in mourning for the passing of Pope Francis. Yet amid the solemnity, there was also hope.
Part of this journey, in time, was my induction process, where I got to meet and get to know the brave souls in mission, and to understand the IN’s and OUTs of the CMS office: its administration, structure, and all the moving parts that bring mission to life and make it what it truly is - MISSION.
So, like any other Columban, I set out to prepare myself as best I could for the role. In doing so, I turned to the writings of this great man - Pope Francis; revisiting his encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, hoping they would guide me as I eased into the work ahead. And as I read, I was amazed. In remembering him, I found myself falling deeply in love with the mission of JPIC and the work the Columbans carry out here in Fiji. More than anything I was inspired to embody the vision he championed: to be Church in the world, not isolated from it.
On came the zoom meetings, one of which I was introduced to Fr. Patrick McInerney and the important work he leads at the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations. Building bridges through Interreligious Dialogue with Muslims, sharing common origin, a common journey and a common people. In the process, my mind drifted to the visits made by Pope Francis to Muslim-majority countries, praised for their symbolic importance in the 21st century for interreligious dialogue, often framed by international media as “historic” “daring,” and “unprecedented”. Making this connection was seamless; I nodded in compliance and silent inspiration.
That same week, I came to know the work of our Interreligious Dialogue (IRD) Coordinator, Priscilla Magdalin, a force in her own right. She leads the mission of interfaith dialogue in her own dynamic way: through pilgrimage walks, school walks, school visits, and reconciliation. Sharing the same office space, we naturally found ourselves in conversations, often exchanging reflections and, at times, sharing grief. We both spoke of how deeply Pope Francis would be missed, his legacy leaving a void.
AND alas it came, on the morning of May 9th FJ Time, I awoke to the news: white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel; Habemus Papam! The over 2000 years of unbroken apostolic tradition renewed once more. Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. Drawn to prayer, I felt the weight of the moment. A missionary Pope, shaped by his time in Peru. A missionary Church, I thought. I was glad to be a part of it.
Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi is the JPIC Coordinator (Region of Oceania), Columban Mission Office – Fiji.
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- Read more from the current e-Kaulotu - June 2025
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