Our culture is woven into the "vanua," where each province and village identifies with a traditional totem—a plant, tree, or animal of deep significance. For a Fijian, biodiversity is not "out there"; it is a sacred part of who we are, our encounter with creation. - Photo: Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi
The International Day for Biological Diversity, commemorated annually on May 22nd, is a global call to recognize the intricate web of life that sustains us. In 2026, this day carries unique weight as we stand at the midpoint between the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 deadline for its ambitious conservation targets. For the Columbans, protecting biodiversity has become a mission priority following our 2024 General Assembly, which reaffirmed ecological integrity as a core missionary response to our wounded world.
The theme for this year, "Acting locally for Global impact," resonates deeply with our mission here in Fiji. Biodiversity represents the richness of life at the level of ecosystems, species, and genes - the very foundation providing the air we breathe and the water we drink. In Fiji, this connection is not just scientific; it is identity. Our culture is woven into the "vanua," where each province and village identifies with a traditional totem - a plant, tree, or animal of deep significance. For a Fijian, biodiversity is not "out there"; it is a sacred part of who we are, our encounter with creation.
And yet, this foundation is being lost at the expense of destructive human activity, a reality that Pope Francis describes in Laudato Si’ as a tragic consequence of an "ill-considered exploitation of nature". As biodiversity declines, we not only damage ecosystems, but also weaken the sacred relationship between humanity and the Creator.
In Psalm 104, Scripture reminds us that the flourishing of creation is essential to God’s own delight: “May the Lord rejoice in his works” (Psalm 104:31). Our role as human beings is therefore to help sustain the conditions in which all creation can flourish. When we act locally in Fiji - protecting mangrove forests, restoring coral reefs, or caring for native species - we participate in this divine harmony, safeguarding the unique “message” that each species conveys about its Creator.
In my recent trip to Dogoru, it was encouraging to see that villages are still benefitting and continue to be stewards of creation from a project that started in 2020. Columban projects continue to inspire new generations to protect and safeguard biodiversity. - Photo: Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi
The JPIC ministry of the Columban's in Fiji has helped align missionary efforts with advocacy for environmental integrity and human rights. In Fiji, our work is rooted in the belief that evangelization is inseparable from the care for creation. Through ecological spirituality and restoration, we are invited to rediscover and deepen our sense of relationship with nature, where cultural traditions, indigenous knowledge, and religious faith converge.
In the village of Dogoru near Labasa, the community continues to lead the way of ecological restoration. Through the Columban Eco Challenge, the "Real Patriot Team" of Dogoru has replanted hardwood trees, secured rainwater harvesting, and conducted river clean-ups to protect their local ecosystem. Their work shows that when a community takes responsibility for its soil and water, it answers the cry of the earth with hope. In my recent trip to Dogoru, it was encouraging to see that villages are still benefitting and continue to be stewards of creation from a Columban project that started in 2020.
The SEMA group mainly comprises of women who have formed a recycling initiative for themselves, and since been supported to run a parish-wide recycling program. - Photo: Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi
In Suva, the SEMA group at St. Pius X Parish in Raiwaqa is leading a "recycling and renewal" program. Recently, we launched the parish's first formal "I-Recycle" station in partnership with the Pacific Recycling Foundation. This initiative transforms household waste into saleable goods and nurseries, proving that ecological conversion starts with practical, community-led change.
Further to our mission through the two Columban-run parishes, as well as to other youth groups around Suva, we have introduced the “The Ecological Way of the Cross.” By translating these devotional texts into iTaukei, we ensured the message reached the hearts of our people in their language. This devotion bridges the gap between spiritual life and environmental awareness, helping us see Christ’s suffering reflected in the "wounded Earth" and in communities displaced by rising seas.
The "cry of the earth" is a call to move beyond indifference. We are not separated from the biodiverse world; we are a part of it, and we have a unique responsibility to ensure it flourishes. On this International Day for Biological Diversity, let us embrace a lifestyle of humility, gratitude, and kinship with all of God’s creatures. By acting locally in our villages and parishes, we contribute to global healing that honors the Creator and protects our common home for generations to come.
Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator (Region of Oceania)
