Despite not being a Catholic-major country, Fiji-Vatican relations have strengthened collaboration in humanitarian and other global issues such as poverty, human rights, gender, economic issues, and green development. The visit of the President of the Republic of Fiji, Mr. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, to the Vatican in 2022 was a significant step, symbolizing the acceptance of the Catholic faith as part of Fiji’s communities. The Vatican’s recognition of Fiji’s potential as a valuable partner in addressing the climate change issue is a testament to its belief in Fiji’s capabilities, providing a reassuring sense of the effectiveness of global collaboration.
Fiji’s steadfast commitment to green development has strengthened its ties with the Vatican and served as a beacon of inspiration for global climate change mitigation. The issues of climate change, renewable energy, pollution, and industrialization’s side effects have become pivotal on the Vatican’s international agenda, echoing the concerns of Catholic believers worldwide. Fiji’s dedication to a greener environment is a parallel stride with the Vatican’s vision. The election of former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama as the chair of COP in Bonn in 2017 was a clear testament to Fiji’s leadership in climate change mitigation. As the COP-elected chairman, Bainimarama demonstrated Fiji’s ability to address critical global issues such as climate change, reaffirming Fiji’s leadership in this crucial area.
Besides Bainimarama, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong is also concerned with environmental issues. His encyclical wisdom depicts the Fiji government’s steadfast commitment to green development in combating climate change. His green development mission seeks to shape people’s mindsets towards development through the lens of religion and beliefs. Archbishop Peter Loy’s focus on fostering green development through the Catholic faith has significantly contributed to Fiji’s approach to environmental issues. However, in part of his interpretation and evaluation, the archbishop found some politicians lack serious political commitment to protecting the environment, a concern that he has been vocal about.
Regardless of his concern about some of Fiji’s politicians’ stances, the contribution of the Archbishop in dealing with global environmental and socio-economic issues has portrayed the existence of the Vatican in Fiji. The Vatican had placed its right missionaries to deliver its ecclesiastical message to handle climate change through the Catholic Church’s role, even though it had realized that to achieve it relies on the countries’ capabilities. In other words, the Vatican recognizes that reducing pollution and technological side effects as a cause of climate change depends on the extent of the commitment and the capability of society and government to reduce those causes of climate change. Meanwhile, the Vatican’s authority was limited to spreading its mission only through encyclical messages to its folk and not to dictating secular policies.
Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si affirms the Vatican’s unwavering environmental commitment. This visionary document guides people, inspiring them to practice green policies under the Vatican’s diplomatic mission. Laudato Si embodies the Apostolic conscience, a profound concern that encourages people to protect the environment from potential disasters.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s government has taken purposeful actions that align with the global commitment to mitigating climate change. The Climate Change Act, sovereign green bond, and planned green taxonomy are purposive evidence of Fiji’s government’s commitment to reducing the impact of environmental calamities. Those government green policies best describe concrete samples of Fiji’s commitment to align with the Vatican’s Laudato Si. However, while significant, the Encyclical Laudato Si cannot stand alone. The Vatican’s mission must go hand in hand with people and government, emphasizing the urgency of collective action because the people are the cornerstone of a country’s ability to maintain and protect its environment.
Behind the message, Laudato Si aims to turn people’s attention to what the environment is experiencing. The Vatican has realized that evolving technology, natural disasters, and human destruction are the primary reasons for the dramatic changes in nature. For this reason, the Vatican believes that human involvement in reversing these changes is crucial. Therefore, Pope Francis delivers Laudato Si as a message from Mother Earth, as if it speaks to all living things, urging them to take responsibility for the environment and empowering them to make a difference.
This perspective of Vatican green development in Fiji, a recognition that carries the weight of the Vatican’s influence, has been acknowledged by Fiji’s government and society. This partnership is a symbolic gesture and a significant influence in shaping Fiji’s climate policies. Even though the message of Laudato Si is only addressed to Catholic believers, its impact is felt cross-cutting in Fiji’s communities. The National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) and National Climate Change Act (NCCA) have become policy instruments that guide how Fiji’s cross-cutting communities manage global natural cycle change dynamics. These policies have led to the implementation of various initiatives, such as the sovereign green bond and planned green taxonomy, which demonstrate Fiji’s commitment to align with the Vatican’s Laudato Si. Despite some politicians still being reluctant, Fiji’s connection with global climate issues under the Kyoto Protocol (2005), the Doha Amendment (2012), and the Paris Agreement (2015) remains strong, offering hope for a sustainable future.
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Permanent Observer to the UN, has also played a significant role in advocating for the Vatican’s support of the Paris Agreement. His efforts have strengthened Fiji’s goal of improving the quality of life for its people. Archbishop Caccia’s advocacy for the Paris Agreement, a landmark international treaty on climate change, aligns with the Vatican’s commitment to addressing climate change as a moral issue. His work has helped to underscore the interconnectedness of environmental, social, economic, and political aspects of climate change and the need for global action. However, from all the explanations above, the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See specifically wants to frame this issue as a moral one that inspires a call to action as a practice of the Church’s common good and encourages global climate action.
