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Youth Participation during Pope’s Visit Brings Hope to a Golden-ager

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Anthon Kraip and family walked through bushes to see Pope Francis

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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Tomuriesa ashamed of Marape’s actions over Papal visit

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Douglas Tomuriesa, Pope Francis and James Marape

Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said he is disappointed and embarrassed over the way His Holiness Pope Francis was treated by Prime Minister James Marape over the last three-days during the Papal visit, and the lack of courtesy and respect shown by the Prime Minister.

He said the Prime Minister continuously declares PNG as a ‘Christian country’ and prides himself on being a religious individual but he was surprised when the Pope was continuously snubbed by the PM over the weekend since the Pope’s arrival on Friday.

“The Pope is the head of the Catholic church, the largest Christian church in the world and he is also a head of state.

“PNG not only being a Christian country, but a country that prides itself as a ‘friend to all, enemy to none’, the PM should be according the Pope with the highest level of respect,” Tomuriesa said.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that on Friday, the Prime Minister did not welcome the Pope at the airport, a tradition he had accorded to many other world leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso had to step in.

“On Saturday, the Prime Minister again failed to attend the gathering at APEC Haus where I and many other Members of Parliament on both sides met the Pope.

“Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae had to step in on behalf of the State. Even Prime Ministers from our neighbouring Pacific Island countries were in attendance but not our own PM.

“And yesterday, the most disappointing display of all occurred when the PM missed his one-on-one meeting with the Pope at his residence in the morning.

“Per information reported, the organising committee said they were waiting for the PM to make his way but failed to turn up on time.

“As a result, the PM had an impromptu meeting with the Pope at the stadium after mass which is very inhospitable and shameful.

“If Indonesia, a majority Islamic nation, can set aside their religious differences to show respect to an important global leader, then I don’t know why our own PM can’t do the same.

“I know the Pope will not be bothered by this disrespect as he is a very forgiving and loving man, but as a Papua New Guinean, I am utterly ashamed and disappointed,” Tomuriesa said.

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Missionaries of Peace and Love

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Pope Francis in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea.

Vanimo, West Sepik – As Pope Francis boarded the Australian Air Force C130 for Port Moresby yesterday evening, his last message to the people of Vanimo was – be missionaries of peace and love wherever you are.

In his three hour visit to Vanimo, the Pope highlighted the importance of being instruments of peace and love. He said Vanimo town is blessed with its natural beauty and the people must see this as a sign of harmony.

“The Lord entrusts this richness to you, so that you too may live united in harmony with him, and with your brothers and sisters, respecting our common home and looking after one another.

“Looking around us, we see the ‘sweetness’ of nature. Yet when we look to ourselves, we realize that there is an even more beautiful sight: that which grows in us when we love one another,” the Pope said.

Be missionaries of peace and Love wherever you are.
Faithfuls in Vanimo, waved the PNG flag as Pope Francis passed by.

The Pope further encouraged everyone to be missionaries of peace and love, saying that love can break barriers and end all despair.

“Jesus taught us this when he said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” Mt 22:35-40.

“In this way, we will increasingly form a great orchestra, able with its notes to recompose rivalries, to overcome divisions – personal, family and tribal, to drive out fear, superstition and magic from our hearts, to put an end to destructive behaviors such as violence, infidelity, exploitation, alcohol and drug abuse, evils which imprison and take away the happiness of so many of our brothers and sisters,” he said.

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Pope Francis Encourages Closeness to Christ

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“We too can become cutoff from the communication and friendship with God and our brothers and sisters when instead of our ears and tongue, our hearts become blocked.”

Celebrating the Holy Mass in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Sunday (8th September), Pope Francis shared two interpretations of the Gospel of Mark, chapter 7:31-37 where Jesus healed the deaf and mute person.

“In St Marks account there are two things that is emphasized, the distance of the deaf man and the nearness of Jesus.

“Let us reflect on these two features the distance of the deaf man, we see him in a geographical area that we would call in today’s language the periphery. The deaf man was distant, the Pope said, in that he hailed from the Decapolis, a land inhabited by pagans far from the religious centre of Jerusalem.

He was “cut off from the world, isolated, a prisoner of his deaf and mute condition.

“Because of their pagan customs it was considered an impure territory far from God, what is more, this deaf man also experienced another kind of distance, he is far from God and from others because he cannot communicate; he is deaf and unable to hear and he is also mute he cannot speak, he is cutoff from the world, a prisoner in his deaf and mute condition a prisoner that cannot communicate,” Pope Francis added.

Pope Francis said there could also be another interpretation of the deaf man’s situation.

“Indeed, there is a kind of inner deafness and muteness of heart that occurs when we close in on ourselves or shut ourselves from God and others through selfishness, indifference, fear of taking risks or putting ourselves on the line, resentment hatred and the list could go on.

All these, distances us from God, from our brothers and sisters and ourselves and from the Joy of living,” Pope Francis concluded.

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Marape Calls on Papua New Guineans to take Pope’s Message of Service, Peace and Unity into Independence

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Prime Minister James Marape Meets Pope Francis

Prime Minister James Marape and his wife, Rachel Marape today joined hundreds of Catholics in the country to celebrate the Holy Mass with Pope Francis.

Flanked by his deputy, John Rosso, the Prime Minister, a Seventh Day Adventist, including other members of the parliament sat through the three hour service.

Before departing for Vanimo, the Pontiff met with Marape and his wife.

Marape personally acknowledged Pope Francis on his delivery of messages of service, unity and peace to the people of Papua New Guinea.

“This is a great message our people need in our land of so much diversity. Our country is very ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse, and the Pontiff’s message of unity, love and care, is very relevant to us today. It must be amplified throughout our country.

“Our different Christian churches may read the Bible from different perspectives, but the fundamental tenet of Christianity is the embrace of each other in love, forgiveness, respect and humble service of each other.

“This weekend was quiet and peaceful. It is exemplary of the goodness that can come from our people. It reflects the soul and innermost character of Papua New Guineans.

“We are good people, capable of embracing each other in love, unity and peace.

Marape called on Papua New Guineans to carry the Pope’s message to heart as the country approaches its 49th Independence Anniversary.

“As we approach our 49th Independence anniversary in a week’s time, I appeal to our people to take Pope Francis’ message with us – to continue to respect each other, to respect our country, and respect our God.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the Pope on his decision to continue his visit to Vanimo considering his advanced age, adding that this is reflective of the character of Christ in serving others.

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Pope Francis emphasizes equal sharing of resources

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Pope Francis emphasize equal sharing of resources

Papua New Guinea is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, a proclamation even Pope Francis acknowledges.

But Papua New Guinea is also challenged with socio-economic developments that do not reach the rural majority despite the presence of numerous extractive industries.

The Pontiff in his remarks this morning at the APEC Haus said Papua New Guinea besides consisting of islands and languages, is also rich in natural resources.

“These goods are destined by God for the entire community.

“Even if outside experts and large international companies must be involved in the harnessing of these resources, it is only right that the needs of local people are given due consideration when distributing the proceeds and employing workers, to improve their living conditions.

“These environmental and cultural treasures represent at the same time a great responsibility, because they require everyone, civil authorities and all citizens, to promote initiatives that develop natural and human resources in a sustainable and equitable manner,” said Pope Francis.

Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae in acknowledging the work of the Catholic Church in the country also requested the Pope in his capacity as a world leader to help advocate on Climate Change and its impacts that is felt by small island nations like PNG.

“Climate change is real and is affecting the lives of our people in the remote Islands of Papua New Guinea.

“Across the Pacific, islands are sinking and are affected and displaced.

“We seek your prayers and support for global action and advocacy on climate change, we need to let the world know that there is no more time.

“What the world needs is commitment for action,” Sir Bob said.

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Pope Francis calls to end ethnic violence

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Pope Francis at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

In his address to Papua New Guinea this morning, the Sovereign Head of the Vatican and the Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis called for an end to ethnic violence in Papua New Guinea.

Pope Francis arrived in Papua New Guinea a month after the brutal killings in East Sepik Province where men, women and children were mercilessly killed.

This happened at the backdrop of continued tribal conflicts in parts of the Highlands Region where in February an ambush resulted in mass killings in Enga Province. Isolated incidents of ethnic clashes in cities and towns.

Highlighting these issues that continues to plague rural Papua New Guinea, Pope Francis called for individuals and groups to take responsibility in stopping the spread of violence.

“It is my hope that tribal violence will come to an end, for it causes many victims, prevents people from living in peace and hinders development.

“I appeal, therefore, to everyone’s sense of responsibility to stop the spiral of violence and instead resolutely embark on the path that leads to fruitful cooperation for the benefit of all the people of the country,” Pope Francis said.

The Pope went on to challenge the Catholic faithful to follow the Gospel of Jesus, and preach the good news of peace hope and love.

“For all those who profess to be Christians – the vast majority of your people – I fervently hope that faith will never be reduced just to the observance of rituals and precepts.

“May it be marked instead by love of Jesus Christ and following him as a disciple.

“In this way, faith can become a lived culture, inspiring minds and actions and becoming a beacon of light that illuminates the path forward.

“At the same time, faith can also help society to grow and find good and effective solutions to its greatest challenges,” Pope Francis said.

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Two days to Arrival of Pope Francis

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Pope Francis in white holding a staff and one one hand on his chest

With just two days remaining before the arrival of Pope Francis, preparations are underway for this historical religious event.

The Sir John Guise Stadium’s out door complex is expected to be filled to capacity by thousands of Catholic followers and enthusiasts on Friday (6th September) at 6:50pm.

The Catholic Church in PNG is preparing to host a candlelight vigil on Friday to welcome the Pope and his delegation. The candlelight service will be the first event of his three – day visit in the country.

Pope Francis will be the second Pontiff to visit PNG after the visitation of Pope John Paul ll in 1984 and 1995.

According to the Vatican News, Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the street Ministry and Callan Services at Caritas Technical Secondary School on September 7th to meet with religious leaders and Catechists at the Shrine of Mary.

The Pope will then travel to Vanimo on September 8th to perform a Eucharistic Celebration. He will meet with youths on September 9th before he departs for the Vatican at 11:40am.

He has departed Rome at 5:32 pm (Vatican time) to begin his 45th 12-day apostolic journey abroad to visit four countries in Asia and Oceania.

Pope Francis will visit Papua New Guinea at the age of 87.

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Indonesians crossing over to see Pope Francis

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Thousands are expected to cross the PNG-Indonesian border to get a glimpse of Pope Francis when he visits Vanimo in West Sepik province, Papua New Guinea.

He will spend three hours in the province.

Despite the pope visiting Indonesia for three days before arriving in Papua New Guinea, the people of West Papua will be in close proximity to Vanimo as they are very far from Jakarta, the Capital of Indonesia.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko who made the announcement said, those from Indonesia will be thoroughly checked at both boarder posts at PNG and Indonesia.

“When the Pope is in Vanimo we will be expecting a couple of thousand of Catholics from West Papua in Indonesia, we will have to make sure that security is up to par, and the Foreign Affairs secretary, with the Defense and the Police have been working closely with the Indonesian Embassy to ensure that all security details are complete and secure for the popes visit and for our boarder operations.

“Because we will be seeing thousands of people crossing the boarder at one particular time to attend to the popes visit, and with the help of immigration as well at our side the PNG Side we must be on full alert, to ensure that all people are checked and have gone through the proper process when crossing over to Papua New Guinea.

PNG's Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko speaking about the visit of Pope Francis.
PNG’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko.

“We will be working with the Australians and Indonesians on the intelligence side of things to ensure only those that are attending the Popes visit make it through to Papua New Guinea.

“Security is the number one priority for us we have been handling it on a day to day basis with all our line agencies to ensure we are up to date,” Minister Tkatchenko added.

The Government has committed K10 Million that will go to all the line agencies, to ensure that the papal visit to Papua New Guinea runs smoothly.

Minister Tkatchenko said the visit by Pope Francis is accorded as a state visit and is held with the highest regard for protocol like any other state visit to Papua New Guinea by an independent nation overseas and the Pope being the head of state for Vatican city, which is recognized as a land locked country in the world.

“His holiness Pope Francis is the head of state and he is accorded a state visit and as a head of state he comes as equal as our Governor General, so we keep the level of protocol at the highest order.

“He will receive a 21 gun salute and will be received by our ceremonial guard at the airport and will be accorded everything a state visit is attributed to,” Tkatchenko added.

Pope Francis is 87 years old and despite the many concerns of a long journey to Papua New Guinea, he is determined to visit the Catholic faithful across Asia pacific.

“His health is one of our top priority and he will be coming with his medical team as well, but the Vatican have inspected our private hospitals and hospital facilities, they have already earmarked incase anything happens we have a emergency plan put in place with an evacuation plan to Australia.

“The Pope is still very strong, he does have mobility issues which you will see, but mind body and soul he is determined from the briefing from the Vatican and he is really excited to come to PNG to Vanimo and visiting all the faithful in Papua New Guinea and we look forward to his arrival,” Tkatchenko said

The Pope will arrive on the 6th by Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Airlines, and will leave on the 9th of September for East Timor’s capital Dili on board PNGs National Flag carrier Air Niugini.

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