CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
P.O. Box 398, Waigani, NCD, Papua New Guinea
Ph: (675) 325 9577; Fax: (675) 323 2551
Email: cbcgensec@catholic.org.pg52nd AGM 2011 with the theme on the Year of the Sick according to the National Pastoral Plan
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNG/SI) was held at the Emmaus Conference Centre, Boroko, in National Capital District from the 2nd -10th May, 2011.It was the 52nd Annual General Meeting since its inception back in 1959, then, with fewer bishops who were predominately missionaries belonging to Religious Congregations like the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Divine Word Missionaries, the Franciscans and Capuchins, Marists, Passionists, PIMEs, Marianhills and the Monfort Missionaries. The transition to the seeing more Papua New Guineans participating in the Church’s leadership is evident with the presence of National Bishops already responsible for some dioceses in the country.
There were 20 Bishops and 2 Administrators representing the 19 Catholic dioceses of PNG and three dioceses from the SI. PNG has 1.8 million Catholics which represents about 30% of the total population of 6 million. On the hand, Solomon Islands has a total Population of 494,000(four hundred and ninety four thousand) out of which the Catholics are 103,000,(one hundred and three thousand) which is about 20% of the civil population. The Eight Day Annual meeting was held in an atmosphere of unity and focus with daily celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, Prayers, reflection and open forum on all issues affecting the Churches in general and more specifically with regard to the Catholic Church in both countries, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
The main theme of this meeting was the 'Care of the Sick' as the Catholic Church has declared this year, 2011 as the 'Year of the Sick'. The Bishops have come up with a "Pastoral Letter on the year of the Sick". In this letter the Bishops reflected on the Health Service given to the sick in our countries both by the Churches and the Government. They ask for better partnership from the Government in giving good service especially in the interior and remote population. The bishops ask the families and the communities to show more compassion and care to the sick as Bishop Otto Separy, of Aitape Diocese, and Bishop responsible for Catholic Health Services shares with us….(Insert Bishop Otto)
In the same light the Bishops also issued relevant and timely "Statements on “the Catholic Church HIV/AIDS ministry in PNG "and "on the upcoming 2012 PNG National Election".
The Bishops discussed many other issues that affect the life and ministry of the Catholic Church in PNG and SI. Archbishop Adrian Smith - Archbishop of Honiara in the Solomon Islands, had a lot of passion for Church history so he takes us through some interesting historical background of the missionaries and the evangelisation that concerns both Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Island. He also had a very rare and significant treasure, the Pastoral Cross of Bishop Eppalle the first Bishop of Melanesia and Micronesia. (Insert Archbishop Adrian Smith sm)
On the 8th of May 2011 the Pope’s representative to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island, Archbishop Francesco Padilla presided at the Eucharistic Celebration for the 6th Anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI,at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, at Don Bosco Technological Institute. Apart from the Bishops there was also the presence of the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Ogio with other dignitaries and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.
On the last day of the meeting the Bishops elected Archbishop John Ribat, MSC of the Archdiocese of Port Moresby as the President and Archbishop Steve Reichert, OFM (Cap) and Archbishop of Madang as the Vice President of the CBC for the next three years (2011-2013). Archbishop John Ribat as the President was main celebrant for the concluding Eucharist at the Emmaus Conference Chapel.
Contact: Bishop Rochus Tatamai msc,
Diocese of Bereina, P.O.Box 300, Boroko, NCD
Email: rjtatamai@online.net.pg
Email: zmlak56@gmail.com
