The Council of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM), together with their spouses, held a three-day retreat at Tetete Ni Kolivuti (TNK), the headquarters of the Sisters of the Church, from Saturday 13th to Monday 15th June. The retreat was a time of prayer, reflection, and fellowship in the peaceful surroundings of TNK.
The sessions were led by Fr. Jonathan Lawson, a priest from the Newcastle Diocese in the United Kingdom, who is currently on sabbatical leave in Melanesia. Father Jonathan also serves as a guest director at St. Beuno’s Retreat Centre in North Wales, an Ignatian Spirituality Centre where Archbishop Leonard has previously attended retreat.
Throughout the retreat, Fr. Jonathan guided the Bishops and their spouses in exploring their understanding of God—who He is, where He is found, and how His presence is experienced. He also led discussions on the meaning of being a bishop, encouraging participants to reflect deeply on their spiritual and pastoral responsibilities.
A central theme of the retreat was discernment: how to recognize God’s will and hear His voice. Fr. Jonathan introduced the Ignatian practice of the examen, a prayerful reflection on daily life, as a tool for discernment. He also shared the method of imaginative prayer and offered insights into the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, helping participants deepen their spiritual awareness.
Beyond the structured sessions, the retreat was marked by moments of prayer, shared meals, and fellowship. Bishops and spouses enjoyed the nourishing food, meaningful conversations, and the hospitality of the Sisters of the Church, all within the serene environment of TNK.
The gathering also strengthened bonds among the Bishops and their spouses as they came together spiritually refreshed and united in their mission to serve the Anglican Church of Melanesia.
