The Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, the largest church denomination in the territory, has formally declared its strong opposition to deep-sea mining within or near American Samoa’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
On the last day of 36th General Assembly of the church held at Kananafou last week, over 600 delegates representing more than 120 congregations from American Samoa, the United States, New Zealand and Australia adopted and ratified a resolution making known the church’s position on the issue.
The delegates affirmed that the ocean—central to Samoan identity, livelihood, and spirituality—is a sacred trust that must be protected from irreversible harm.
In its resolution, the Assembly emphasised:
*Theological stewardship: Creation belongs to God, and humanity bears a sacred responsibility to protect it.
*Ecological and cultural risk: Seabed mining poses significant threats to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and the cultural heritage of Pacific peoples.
*Scientific uncertainty: With long‑term impacts still unknown, the precautionary principle must guide decision‑making.
*Environmental justice: Pacific churches and Indigenous communities have raised urgent concerns about the disproportionate risks posed to ocean‑dependent cultures.
*Intergenerational justice: Ensure that the decisions we make today do not deprive future generations of the health, resources, and beauty of God’s creation. Deep-sea mining threatens that justice by risking long-term, potentially irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems that future Pacific peoples will depend on for identity, livelihood, and survival.
The CCCAS resolution urges:
• The American Samoa Government to enact protective legislation and policies restricting seabed mining until independent scientific research proves it safe.
• The United States Government, including the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), to deny permits or authorizations for seabed mining that may impact American Samoa or the Pacific region.
• Ecumenical and regional collaboration to safeguard ocean ecosystems and uphold the rights of Pacific peoples.
• Churchwide education on environmental stewardship, climate justice, and the theological foundations of creation care.
The CCCAS affirmed its ongoing commitment to prayer, discernment, and prophetic witness in defense of God’s creation. Protecting the ocean, the Assembly declared, is an act of faithfulness to God and love for future generations.
The resolution will be transmitted to the American Samoa Government, the U.S Federal Government, ecumenical partners, and international bodies engaged in ocean governance.
