Anthon Kraip, was among 1500 Parishioners from Mt Hagen Diocese that braved bush tracks to get to Port Moresby in time for Pope Francis’ visit.
The pilgrims arrived in different groups. Some walked through Gulf Province while others walked through Northern Province’s Kokoda track.
Kraip and 25 others walked through the Gulf Province before boarding Public Motor Vehicle’s to Port Moresby.
Each Parish funded only three representatives. These representatives were flown to Port Moresby.
Walking the bush tracks was the only hope for the other pilgrims who couldn’t afford airline tickets.
In his white shirt that had Pope Francis’ face printed on, matching his white beard, Kraip said it was only right for him to make this journey to welcome the head the Church.
“Mi wokabaut long displa longpla wokabaut blong wanem, displa ol lain ikisim tok blong God ikam long mipla. Katolik istap nambawan insait long kantri na wold, olsem na taim bikman blong sios ikam, mi tu laik kam lukim em na tok tenku long God Papa long ol wokman blong em ibringim gutnius ikam long PNG.”
(I took this journey because these are the people who brought Christianity to Papua New Guinea. Catholic remains the largest faith based organization in Papua New Guinea and the world and I wanted to see the Pope and acknowledge God for his servants that brought the gospel to PNG.)
The pilgrim arrived 3 weeks ahead of the Pope’s arrival. St John Parish in Tokara provided accommodation for pilgrims that arrived from Western Highlands.
Among the 1500 people that arrived in Port Moresby, many were young people.
A golden-ager, Kraip was pleased to see the involvement of youths from his province.
“Mi hamamas bikos, em tok i-kisim ol. Mi hamamas olsem ol tu laik lukim Pope olsem wokman blong God. Jisas em wokim sios blong em antap long Pita na makim maus blong Pita, em Pope ikam. Olsem na mi hamamas long lukim planti yangpla ikam.
“Nau tu mi strongim ol, yupla ol yangpla imas behainim ol wokman blong God ken na sanap strong long bilip.”
(I am happy that they have received the calling to take part in this pilgrim. I am happy that they want to see Pope as God’s servant. Jesus built his Church on Peter and the Pope now represents Peter as Christ’s mouthpiece. I am happy to see a lot of the youths participating and I would like to encourage them to follow the footsteps of these missionaries and be strong in their faith.)
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