The Pacific Theological College (PTC) at Veiuto, Suva, celebrated its 50th anniversary last Friday.
President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was the chief guest.
In his address to more than 300 people he said that studying and living together and worshipping together in the college chapel within a community of such diverse Christian backgrounds builds deeper understanding of the historical divisions within the church and encourages respect for differences.
Ratu Epeli said that while some nations have achieved independence from colonial powers and some have struggled with internal strife, throughout this time, the College has developed Christian theologians and leaders, many of whom have been outstanding in their contributions to the lives of Pacific Islanders.
He said the Pacific Theological College aimed to educate students to think critically, to respond to pastoral and social justice issues and to take responsible leadership in the region’s churches and to assist with nation building.
Pacific Theological College principal, the Reverend Professor Dr Feleterika Nokise, says the courses provided by the College are available primarily to students from Pacific Island churches.
“The Pacific Theological College was established as a decision by a meeting of all church leaders in Samoa in 1961 and the leaders decided that our churches need a regional college where graduates from the theological schools from our churches can attend and pursue higher degrees”.
The school is owned by twenty church members of the region and it’s the first of its kind in the Pacific to offer undergraduate programs.
Today PTC offers theological education at diploma, degree, Master’s and doctoral levels.
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