General Synod meets in Tonga for the first time
Shared from
Anglican Taonga
First published 19 August 2026
Opening the 67th General Synod Te Hīnota Whānui, the first to be held in the Kingdom of Tonga, Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa gave a joint charge on the theme “One Mission, One Ocean, One Vaka”.
They called the synod to keep to God’s mission, to care for the moana and for Pacific communities facing rising seas, and to treasure the unity of the three-tikanga church as a sacred gift. Guests included Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi and the Tonga National Council of Churches.