To celebrate the launch of the University, two recipients will receive the highest academic award of the University, honorary doctor. One of them is Bishop Sir Rev Leslie Boseto.
Bishop Reverend Sir Leslie Boseto was a distinguished Methodist minister and Pasifika theologian.
In recognition of his invaluable contributions to theology and his unwavering commitment to the well-being of Pasifika communities, Pasifika Communities University (PCU) proudly awards Bishop Reverend Sir Leslie Boseto the Honorary Doctor. His teachings and writings have greatly influenced not only local communities but also international dialogues on environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. Bishop Boseto’s profound insights and visionary leadership remain an integral part of PCU’s mission to promote holistic education and community engagement.
Bishop Reverend Sir Leslie Boseto, born on April 17, 1933, is a distinguished Methodist minister and one of the preeminent Pasifika theologians. His exceptional leadership within the Household of God encompasses service to the church, communities, and governmental bodies.
Bishop Boseto’s significant contributions include his role as the first Indigenous Chairman of the Solomon Islands Methodist District, first Indigenous Bishop in Solomon Islands Region following the formation of the United Church in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands in 1968 and eventually led to his appointment as the first indigenous Moderator of the Assembly of the United Church of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. He served as Pro Chancellor at the University of PNG in the 1970s and is a beloved author, composer, and was very articulate at the level of an academic in his writings and in his interventions at regional and international forums. He served as president of the Pacific Conference of Churches from 1986 to 1991 and was elected as one of the seven presidents of the World Council of Churches from 1991 to 1998, making him the first Pacific Islander to hold such a prestigious position.
In addition to his ecclesiastical achievements, he was elected to the national parliament in 1997 as the Member of Parliament for South Choiseul and was subsequently re-elected in 2001 and 2006. His ministerial roles have included Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs (1997-2000), Minister for Lands and Housing (2000), and Minister for Lands and Survey (2006-2007). He was the first Member of Parliament to have officially declared his retirement at the House of Parliament in 2007.
Bishop Boseto has also dedicated himself to community leadership in various capacities since the 1960s, notably leading the Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Communities (LLCTC) since 1981. He was knighted in 2019, recognizing his great range of achievements and service, including his significant contribution to peacemaking in the Pacific. In 2024, the Solomon Islands’ caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare expressed gratitude to Bishop Boseto for his pivotal role in ensuring the codification of the customs and traditions of the Lauru people.
In the words of the elected President of LLCTC who took over the Presidency Chair in 2018, Rev Fr Graham Mark of the Anglican Church of Melanesia in Solomon Islands commented that at this stage, Bishop Boseto, unbeknownst to him held and represented three pillars of society in Solomon Islands: Church, Cultures and Government.
Bishop Boseto was truly a remarkable man. He was relatable to all and allowed himself to be called “Papa” and Father to all in Lauru and Roviana Islands of both Choiseul and Western Provinces, and parts of the Solomon Islands and also those in Papua New Guinea who came to know and love him. He chose the way of simplicity, humility and self-sacrifice to guide his daily steps.
As a visionary theologian, Boseto wrote on topics such as:
• “Environment and Community in Melanesia” (Melanesian Journal of Theology)
• “God’s Spirit in Mission: Priorities for the Solomon Islands and the Pacific” (International Review of Mission).
• “God as Community—God in Melanesian Theology” (Pacific Journal
of Theology)
• “Toward a Pacific Theology of Reality” (Pacific Journal of Theology)
• “Do Not Separate Us from Our Land” (Pacific Journal of Theology)
The holistic approach stemming from Bishop Boseto’s grassroots theology aligns closely with the Pasifika Communities University’s whole of life vision, which emphasises the cultivation of Pasifika consciousness and the overall well-being of all community members. As noted by William Longgar (2016), “Boseto advocates for a theology that presents Christ as a Melanesian wantok—one who cares deeply for our families, tribes, environment, ancestors, and friends; a Christ who embodies and speaks in our diverse languages.”
Bishop Reverend Sir Leslie Boseto’s theological perspectives continue to resonate with both regional and global issues of significant importance. For instance, the recently published Pacific Conference of Churches training manual, “Reweaving the Ecological Mat,” references his profound statement: “Our existence and our survival can never be separated from our land and sea … Our land and sea are us and we are them. Do not separate us.”
He was the first Indigenous Bishop in Solomon Islands and served as a member of the PTC council and president of the Pacific Conference of Churches. He held multiple government positions and was knighted in 2019 for his peacemaking and community leadership. His theological writings and grassroots approach continue to influence the Pasifika community, emphasizing the inseparable connection between people and their land and sea.
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