Clergy Refresher Training Program

The College continues its commitment to the ongoing formation of clergy in Fiji, through its Refresher Training for ordained priests and those serving in appointments. Rooted in the call of Christ, the program is designed to renew, strengthen, and equip clergy for the demands of ministry in today’s changing world.

This refresher training provides a space for clergy to reflect deeply on their vocation, reconnect with the heart of their calling, and engage with the expectations of church leadership in their pastoral service. It is a time of learning, prayer, shared reflection, and practical renewal, as priests are invited to revisit the meaning of ordained ministry and its place in the life of the Church and the communities they serve.

A central focus of the training is priestly identity: who am I, and how that identity shapes ministry. Clergy are encouraged to understand their calling not only as a role or responsibility, but as a lifelong response to God’s invitation to serve with integrity, humility, and faithfulness.

The program also emphasizes the need for spiritual and intellectual discipline in ordained ministry. In a time when communities face complex social and pastoral realities, priests must remain grounded in prayer, informed by study, and attentive to the needs of the people among whom they serve.

The training draws clergy back to the heart of mission, especially the call to respond to human need through loving service. It challenges priests to reclaim pastoral ministry as a ministry of presence, listening, protection, and accompaniment. These qualities are essential for building trust, offering hope, and walking alongside people in times of uncertainty, pain, and change.

The program also addresses urgent contemporary concerns, including drug and HIV awareness, and strengthens the Church’s responsibility to respond with compassion, courage, and practical action. Including a session with the Fiji Police Force shows the Church’s commitment to leading efforts to combat these issues, working with key partners to protect communities, restore hope, and promote healthier ways of life. In this way, the training reminds clergy that their mission is not separate from the realities of the community, but deeply connected to them.

At the end of the refresher training, clergy are expected to leave with a clearer understanding of their ordained identity, a renewed commitment to spiritual discipline, and a stronger sense of alignment with the Church’s mission. They are also expected to return to their ministries better prepared to preach, pastor, and lead with wisdom and compassion.

Above all, the training seeks to empower priests to serve as faithful shepherds who can meet the real needs of their people with confidence, humility, and hope. Through ongoing formation, the College continues to support clergy in becoming effective ministers of the Gospel, fully prepared for the sacred task of shepherding God’s people.

This marks the beginning of the program, which will later extend to other parts of the Diocese, including Tonga and Samoa, as the Church continues its commitment to strengthening clergy formation and mission across the region.