Over a long period a wide variety of social, cultural and economic relationships between the nations of Oceania have developed. In more recent times, migration and tourism have intensified these relationships.

The particular churches throughout the region have had an integral part in shaping and developing the nations of Oceania.

As well as the social, cultural and economic relationships, there have been for many years relationships between the various Particular Churches. Since 1970 the members of the Bishops Conferences of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and the Pacific (CEPAC) have met on five occasions. These meetings have deepened the collegial spirit among the members of the various Confer­ences and raised their awareness of each other’s Particular Churches.

Whilst recognising the due autonomy of each Particular Church and the respective Bishops Conferences, the members of the four Bishops Conferences realised that “by sharing their wisdom and experience and exchanging views” they would be able to “jointly formulate a programme for the common good of the Church” (CD 37). Hence it was judged appropri­ate, not only to meet the above-mentioned needs but also to implement CIC Canon 459: 1, to establish the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania.