His Majesty, King Tupou VI opened the General 67th Synod of the Anglican Church Diocese of Polynesia yesterday at the Tonga High School Stadium with over 200 church representatives, participants and guests from all across the Pacific including Tonga.
With the Synod’s Theme for this year, “One Mision, One Ocean, One Vaka”, His Majesty addressed the Opening Synod’s Sermon, expressing his gratitude to the church for choosing Tonga to host this year’s General Synod, helping Tonga mark 200 years of Christianity.
His Majesty therefore continued with a history of the journey of Christianity reaching the shores of Tonga to the establishment of the Anglican church here in Tonga.
“The seeds of Christianity were planted first by 10 missionaries of the London Missionary Society in 1797 in the east of Tonga during a time of civil unrest. For various reasons they were unsuccessful, perhaps due more to insufficient preparation. The second mission was more successful in starting with two missionaries John Thomas and John Hutchinson in 1826 in the west of Tonga, whom had worked in Tonga for a year until a third missionary joined them, Nathaniel Turner, who had worked with the Maori people in Aotearoa, thus had a better understanding of the language and culture.
These were the seeds of the Methodist mission which took root with the translation of the Bible and schools. The Catholic Church came through a way of what’s today Wallace and Futuna to bear in Tongatapu. Perhaps more interestingly was how Bishop Willis came to establish the Anglican Church here in Tonga in 1902 at an advanced age of 66.”
His Majesty also highlighted the long history of traditional leadership being associated with Anglican church through education.
“Princess Salote attended an Anglican school in Auckland. My brothers, cousins, and I attended Anglican schools, as did my two sons, and most of us were confirmed.”
He also continued to elaborate on the importance of the role of the church to its people and the many surrounding issues.
“I assure you that the problems you will be discussing in your synod will not be unique geographically to you but would be similar problems to churches in Tonga today whether it be the problems of youth or faith or drugs.
They are the same problems facing Tonga today. In many ways it is the age-old problem of the forces of change wrestling with the forces of conservation. What core values do we stand for as opposed to what we are willing to change? We must be strong in our faith but I believe only you as individuals and as a church can and should decide that.
Wiser decisions would be the outcome of more inclusive and responsible decisions taken together. Indeed, much like the way that churches are run today.
May God continue to bless you in your deliberations as you continue your good works”.
Joing His Majesty was the Queen, Nanasipau‘u Tuku’aho as well as the Crown Prince and Princess, Her Royal Highness Princess Royal Salote Mafile‘o Pilolevu Tuita and Lord Tuita as well as the Prime Minister of Tonga, His Eminence Cardinal Mafi from the Catholic church with representatives of the Diplomatic Corps offices and many guests.
The Synod will run for one week with 4 days back-to-back discussions on issues concerning the Ocean, Climate Change and Equity among others and 3 days for exploring the host country concluding on the 23rd August 2026.