Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea in September 2024 marks a historic moment for the nation, as he brings Christ’s message of hope, faith, and solidarity to the peripheries of the Catholic world. This visit, part of his broader tour of Asia, underscores the Pope’s commitment to reaching out to those often overlooked. As the national director of The Pontifical Mission Societies–Papua New Guinea, Fr. Victor Roche, SVD, shared, “Pope Francis is particularly stressing those places which are on the peripheries, dioceses, and countries that are usually not recognized or remembered for any significance.”
Fr. Victor highlighted the anticipation and preparation that preceded the Pope’s visit, emphasizing the joy and surprise felt by the local Catholic community. “We are almost at the end of the world, even if we are near Australia. We are almost insignificant. But we have 19 dioceses, and we are all joyful that he will be visiting us from the 6th to the 9th of September,” he said.
Papua New Guinea grapples with significant economic challenges, with a high poverty rate affecting nearly 40% of the population. The majority of people rely on subsistence farming, and the country struggles with limited infrastructure and access to basic services.
Despite the country’s challenges, the Church remains a beacon of hope and resilience. “The Catholic churches in Papua New Guinea are full every Sunday. Close to 75-80 percent of the baptized go to church on a given Sunday,” Fr. Victor noted. The liturgies are lengthy and engaging, often lasting close to three hours, with interactive homilies that encourage participation from the congregation.
The Church’s structure relies heavily on lay leadership due to the vast and dispersed nature of the communities. Fr. Victor, for instance, manages 27 outstations, with lay leaders playing a crucial role in maintaining the Church’s activities. “We could not do any of the many things we do were it not for the lay leaders, who not only ask to be involved but who are actually involved, spearheading many initiatives,” he said.
However, the Church faces challenges, such as the attraction of other faiths and the need for better formation of lay leadership, particularly for women. “Some of the people are attracted to the faith of other churches, leaving the Catholic Church to go to Pentecostal denominations,” Fr. Roche explained. Strengthening lay leadership remains a priority to sustain the Church’s mission.
In 2023, Papua New Guinea received $473,500 from The Pontifical Mission Societies, which went to aiding various catechetical projects as well as the construction of health clinics, orphanages, and schools, and the forming of priests, religious, and lay leaders. “Almost all the dioceses of Papua New Guinea receive support from The Pontifical Mission Societies. Every year I take the applications for projects, and every year, the support comes, making so much of our life a reality!” Fr. Roche stated.
Papua New Guinea’s Catholic community also contributes to the global mission of the Church through annual collections, supporting seminaries, the Missionary Childhood Association, and World Mission Sunday, held on October 20th this year. In fact, during the 2023 edition of World Mission Sunday the Church in Papua New Guinea raised over $20,000, a big effort for a country where the majority of the population lives on less than $1.90 a day. This reciprocal support highlights the unity and solidarity within the Universal Church.
The priest expected that the papal visit would bring attention to pressing social issues such as climate change, “a big concern for us, as we know that unless something changes, several of our islands will disappear in the next 50 years.” The Pope’s global influence, he argued, ensures that these concerns gain visibility, advocating for urgent action to address environmental challenges.
Father Victor believes that the impact of Pope Francis’ visit will extend beyond the immediate joy and celebration, fortifying the faith of Catholics and garnering respect and curiosity from non-Catholics. Broadcasted on radio and television, even those in remote areas were expected to participate in this historic event. “The impact of the visit will be mainly on the faith of the people,” he said. But he expected it to also bring attention to the needs of the poor and marginalized.
“This visit will not only strengthen our faith in Christ but also give visibility to some of our earthly challenges.” The people of Papua New Guinea will carry the Pope’s message in their hearts, continuing their journey of faith with renewed vigor and determination.
*By the time this magazine has reached your home, the visit will have already taken place, leaving behind a strengthened faith and renewed spirit among the people. You can read more about the papal visit in our blog, at www.onefamilyinmission.org.
