In our Easter issue of the Far East magazine we are featuring a depiction of the Crucifixion by Fijian artist Peni Vuniceva. The women in the painting are in Fijian attire of Masi cloth and white sulus, while Christ and the menfolk have Fijian features. The young men in the background (soldiers) who sit casting lots for Christ’s garment are all in grass skirts. The background depicts the hills and mountains around Vanuakula and Namosi.
Vatican II explored the relationship between faith and culture in Gaudium et Spes. It recognised the Church’s historical experience of inculturation, as far back as the Greco-Roman world. The Council emphasised the importance of engaging with cultures in the process of evangelisation. Pope John Paul II stressed that the inculturation of the Gospel enlightens, purifies, and elevates cultures without imposing foreign cultural models.
Inculturation means the Gospel takes root in local traditions, languages, symbols, and ways of life, transforming them from within while also being enriched by these cultures. It makes missionary work more effective, authentic, and respectful. It allows the Gospel to be truly at home in every culture, while also challenging missionaries and local communities to deeper faith and understanding.
When the Gospel is inculturated it ceases to be seen as a foreign import and becomes the faith of the local people. This fosters a sense of ownership and authenticity, making the Christian message more credible and attractive.
Depiction of the Crucifixion in Vanuakula Parish by Fijian artist Peni Vuniceva. Photo: Fr John McEvoy.
Columban Missionary Fr John Mahoney was well versed with the teachings of Vatican ll and worked tirelessly to impress the importance of inculturation among his catechists and parishioners in the huge rugged interior parish of Vanuakula Parish on Viti Levu (Fiji’s main island).
He encouraged a local man Peni Vuniceva to paint biblical scenes in the parish church in Vanuakula. Peni had contracted leprosy at an early age and developed his artistic skills while staying at a leprosarium.
Fr John wanted these paintings to reflect Fijian lifestyle and culture rather than traditional European artistic expressions. He had long conversations with Peni and read scripture stories to him and showed him Chinese, Japanese and African Catholic art.
Peni realised what was demanded of him and engaged in conversations with the village people about why his paintings would not be modelled on traditional European Catholic art.
Peni painted four large biblical scenes for Fr John: the Nativity (published on the cover of the Far East magazine in December 2024); the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan; the Wedding feast of Cana; and finally the Crucifixion.
Peni later wrote to Fr John about what these paintings meant to him: a new artistic experience, a deeper understanding of his faith and the joy of watching the people as they studied his paintings and sat in quiet prayer and meditation before them. Both Peni Vuniceva and Fr John Mahoney have now gone to God, the maker and creator of all.
Fr John McEvoy was ordained in 1972. He served on mission in Fiji and is now based in Ireland.
First published in the March/April 2026 issue of the Far East magazine. To subscribe, please see: https://columbans.ie/far-east-magazine/
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