Papal visit sparks hope and joy in Papua New Guinea, says missionary priest

By LiCAS News

Anticipation is palpable for Pope Francis’ arrival in Papua New Guinea on September 6, particularly in the coastal town of Vanimo, Father Prado said.

“Due to limited access to information and social media, few people were aware of his trip. We are all very excited and are working hard to be able to welcome the Pope as best we can,” the priest said in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

The local Catholic community is making intensive preparations, which include nightly prayers, the singing of hymns and culturally significant dancing on the local football pitch, which has been repurposed for the occasion.

These gatherings have drawn large crowds, a testament to the living faith and community spirit in Vanimo, the priest said. “On some of the busiest nights, thousands of people have attended.”

He also highlighted the unique mix of religious practices in the region, saying: “The faith of the Christians here is very alive and very simple.”

“Many continue to interpret Christianity through the framework of their ancestral beliefs, which makes it difficult for them to reach a complete understanding of Christianity,” he added.

The priest said missionary work in remote jungle locations has led to significant spiritual engagements, including baptisms and the introduction of the gospel.

“In the jungle, for example, we had the opportunity to baptize entire families, teach them to make the sign of the cross and preach the Gospel for the first time,” he said.

Despite these successes, the fusion of ancestral beliefs with Christian teachings still poses challenges. Father Prado highlighted the community’s efforts to discern and educate.

“Our job as missionaries is to help Christians understand that these things don’t go together and to try to bring about change,” he said.

Addressing the specific challenges facing young people, the priest highlighted vague concepts of marriage and family life that diverge significantly from Western norms.

“Young people have no role models or inspiration, and only a few have the support and guidance of their parents to commit to their spouse for life,” he said.

The missionary priest called for global support through prayer and material aid. He stressed the importance of praying for vocations, noting the recent increase in local vocations.

“Since then, the number of priests has doubled. We have started to see local vocations, which we never had before,” he said.

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