Move with God into the New Year: Archbishop Chong

The Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong is urging people to move with God into the new year.

In his New Year message, Archbishop Chong has also urged families, young people and workers across the country to take just ten quiet minutes of reflection before midnight to look back on 2025.

“The world becomes very loud at this time,” Archbishop Chong said.

“Before the noise, give yourself the gift of silence. You made it through another year. You were carried, even when you felt alone.”

Archbishop Chong encouraged people to reflect on the past year using a simple spiritual practice known as the Ignatian Examen, a way of reviewing life through God’s presence, especially during both joyful and painful moments.

He said gratitude is the starting point for healing and growth, urging people to name real and concrete blessings from the year, even if it was difficult.

“A friend who stood by you. A job that helped you survive. A moment of beauty. A word spoken at the right time,” he said. “

"Even in hardship, we were blessed.”

He also asked people to reflect honestly on the movements of their hearts, moments when they felt alive and moments when they drifted into anger, fear or exhaustion.

“This is not about judging your life,” he said.

“It is about learning what helps you grow and what pulls you away from love.”

Acknowledging that many carry regrets into the new year, the Archbishop reminded the faithful that failure does not define the future.

“Mistakes are not the end,” he said.

“Mercy is always greater.”

Instead of making many new year resolutions, Archbishop Chong encouraged people to choose one clear intention for 2026.

“Ask who God is calling you to become,” he said.

“Then take one small step.”

His message ended with a clear call to action.

“Do not move into the new year alone,” he said.

“This year, move with God.”

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