Rev Salesi Faupula has been installed as the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania’s ninth Moderator.
By Andrew Humphries
Rev Salesi Faupula has today been installed as Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
Salesi becomes the Synod’s ninth Moderator, with his installation taking place this morning as part of Opening Worship at Kingswood College in Box Hill.
This morning’s installation marks the beginning of Synod 2025, a four-day gathering of Uniting Church members from throughout Victoria and Tasmania.
Salesi becomes the third current leader of Pacific Island heritage within the Uniting Church in Australia, joining President Rev Charissa Suli and NSW/ACT Moderator Rev Mata Havea Hiliau.
Born in Tonga, Salesi moved to Australia as a child, spending 10 years at the Yirrkala Aboriginal mission in the Northern Territory, where his father Haloti was placed as a minister with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga as part of the missionary work of the Methodist Church.
Salesi’s family then moved to Sydney’s northern beaches, where his journey with the Uniting Church began, and he was ordained as a minister in 2012.
He begins his term as Moderator with a deep sense of humility, recognising the trust placed in him by Uniting Church members.
“It’s with an acknowledgement of that responsibility that I take on this important role as the Synod’s pastoral leader,” Salesi said.
“I believe that God calls me into this role and continues to equip me for it, and that is where my faith lies.
“I made a vow at my ordination in 2012 that I would make myself available and commit myself to serving God.
“Being installed into the role of Moderator is about honouring those vows and fulfilling a sense of duty.”
General Secretary Rev Dr Mark Lawrence welcomed Salesi’s installation, and paid tribute to the work of the outgoing Moderator, Rev David Fotheringham.
“Every Moderator brings a particular set of gifts, and Salesi is a deeply respected minister who brings an incredibly diverse cultural background into the role,” Mark said.
“David’s leadership, understanding of strategy, and pastoral insight all came together wonderfully well in his role as Moderator.”
Click here to read a recent Crosslight magazine profile on Salesi
