PORT MORESBY (EFE).— Pope Francis arrived yesterday in Papua New Guinea, where 25% of the inhabitants are Catholics, scattered across the hundreds of islands of this enormous archipelago, which greatly complicates the work of the missionaries, who are grateful that, with this visit, the Pope is taking these faithful out of “anonymity.”
The Argentine Pope travels to a place no other country in the world recommends going due to its high rate of violence and potential for natural disasters, and one of the poorest in the world, with three million people below the poverty line.
On his tour of Asia and Oceania, which began last Monday, this will be the only place he will stop other than the capital, as he will travel to remote Vánimo to show the fruits of the missionaries’ work.
In Vánimo there is a large colony of young Argentine missionaries, including Father Martín Prado, who invited the Pope to visit their mission, and Tomás Ravaioli, who told EFE he was delighted that Francis would visit them.
“People are happy, because just imagine that the last Pope who visited them was 30 years ago, but this time he is coming to Vánimo, which if you look at the map is one of the most isolated villages in Papua New Guinea and there are no roads, you get there by boat or by plane, so people can never go anywhere. So the fact that the Pope wanted to visit them is something that will go down in history,” explains Ravaioli.
This Argentine priest explains that living in this “beautiful paradise” is a real challenge for them.
“It is a place of first evangelization. So everything is yet to be done, everything is new,” although “yes, from a material point of view it is hard, because you live with a thousand deprivations: there is no running water, no natural gas and no electricity…”
He also says that “on the one hand, people consider themselves Christians, but at the same time they find it very difficult to eradicate these traditions that have been with them for hundreds of years. The churches are always full and priests, in a good way, get tired of hearing confessions, but then they come home and continue to practice pagan practices. For example, there is a lot of witchcraft.”
“They expect me to give them some words of encouragement, they are the forgotten ones, and for us it will mean great relief, because it will be a great boost that will be given to us missionaries and to our work as well,” he added.
Spanish nun Fátima Benito, from the Little Sisters of the Helpless Elderly, is in Alotau, on the other side of the island, where she works in one of the homes that have been opened for sick elderly people, whom no one wants to care for.
According to her, these populations – 80% of whom live in rural areas – are very poor and have a hard time even finding food, so almost no one takes care of the elderly and they arrive home malnourished and in poor condition.
She is going to Port Moresby to meet with Pope Francis and the country’s clergy and, she explains to EFE, it will take her almost two days because “there are no roads in this country,” but she is excited because the Pope always “goes to countries that none of us remember,” because “for God no one is anonymous” and the Pope “brings them out of anonymity.”
“They are a little amazed that he is coming, that is, that the head of the Catholic Church is coming, and it makes them very happy and they think: hey, he loves us, we are important to him,” he added.
“And I am delighted because it seems to me that he is also coming to see me, to our house, for us, the missionaries, it is a great stimulus,” she says.
Nun Meeting
Spanish nun Fatima Benito will travel to Port Moresby to meet the Pope.
“There is no one anonymous”
She explains that this will take almost two days because “there are no roads in this country,” but she is excited that the Pope always “goes to countries that none of us remember,” because “for God, no one is anonymous” and the Pope “brings them out of anonymity.”
Happy
They are very happy that the Pope visits them “and they think: Hey, he loves us, we are important to him,” she adds. “And I am delighted because it seems to me that he also comes to see me, to our house, for us missionaries, it is a great boost.”
#Pope #arrives #paradise
2024-09-19 15:27:12
What impact does Pope Francis’ visit have on missionaries in Papua New Guinea?
Table of Contents
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Papua New Guinea: Bringing Hope and Visibility to a Forgotten Region
Pope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea, a country with a significant Catholic population scattered across hundreds of islands, where missionaries face immense challenges in their work. The Pope’s visit marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church in this Pacific island nation, where 25% of the inhabitants are Catholics.
Papua New Guinea, one of the poorest countries in the world, faces numerous challenges, including high rates of violence and natural disasters. The country’s remote location and lack of infrastructure make it difficult for missionaries to reach and serve the local population. Despite these challenges, the Pope’s visit brings hope and visibility to this forgotten region, where the Catholic Church plays a vital role in the lives of its people.
A Challenging Missionary Environment
For missionaries like Father Martín Prado and Tomás Ravaioli, living and working in Papua New Guinea is a significant challenge. They face numerous deprivations, including lack of running water, natural gas, and electricity. However, they are committed to their mission, recognizing the importance of bringing the message of Christ to this underserved region.
Ravaioli, an Argentine priest, notes that Papua New Guinea is a place of “first evangelization,” where everything is yet to be done. While the local population considers themselves Christians, they struggle to eradicate centuries-old traditions and practices. He observes that witchcraft is still prevalent, and people often practice pagan rituals alongside Christian beliefs.
The Pope’s Visit: A Boost to Missionaries and the Local Church
The Pope’s visit is a significant morale boost for missionaries and the local Church. Ravaioli believes that the Pope’s visit will bring great relief and encouragement to those serving in this challenging environment. He hopes that the Pope will offer words of encouragement, recognizing the difficulties faced by missionaries and the local Church.
Spanish nun Fátima Benito, from the Little Sisters of the Helpless Elderly, echoes Ravaioli’s sentiments. She notes that the Pope’s visit is a reminder that even in the most remote and forgotten places, the Church is present and active. Benito, who works in a home for elderly people in Alotau, will travel to Port Moresby to meet the Pope, a journey that will take her almost two days due to the country’s lack of roads.
The Pope’s Message: No One is Anonymous
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea is a testament to his commitment to serving the marginalized and forgotten. Benito notes that the Pope always goes to countries that are often overlooked, reminding us that “for God, no one is anonymous.” The Pope’s visit is a powerful reminder that every human life has value and dignity, regardless of their circumstances.
In Papua New Guinea, the Pope’s visit is a beacon of hope, bringing visibility and attention to a region that is often forgotten. As Ravaioli so eloquently puts it, “People are happy, because just imagine that the last Pope who visited them was 30 years ago, but this time he is coming to Vánimo, which if you look at the map is one of the most isolated villages in Papua New Guinea and there are no roads, you get there by boat or by plane, so people can never go anywhere. So the fact that the Pope wanted to visit them is something that will go down in history.”
Conclusion
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea is a significant event for the Catholic Church and the local population. It brings hope, encouragement, and visibility to a region that is often overlooked. As the Pope travels to remote Vánimo to show the fruits of the missionaries’ work, he reminds us that every human life has value and dignity, regardless of their circumstances. The Pope’s message is clear: no one is anonymous in the eyes of God.
Keywords: Pope Francis, Papua New Guinea, Catholic Church, Missionaries, Evangelization, Poverty, Natural Disasters, Violence, Witchcraft, Pagan Practices, Christian Beliefs, Forgotten Regions, Marginalized Communities.
– How has Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea impacted the local Catholic communities?
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Papua New Guinea: A Beacon of Hope for the Forgotten
Pope Francis arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG) yesterday, marking a historic moment for the country’s 25% Catholic population. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, with three million people living below the poverty line, the Pope’s visit brings hope and excitement to the faithful.
A Challenging Missionary Work
Papua New Guinea is an enormous archipelago with hundreds of islands, making it difficult for missionaries to reach the scattered Catholic communities. The Argentine Pope’s visit is a blessing for these missionaries, who have been working tirelessly to spread the Gospel in this challenging environment.
Father Martín Prado, an Argentine missionary, invited the Pope to visit his mission in Vánimo, a remote area with limited access. Tomás Ravaioli, another Argentine priest, expressed his delight at the Pope’s visit, saying, “People are happy because just imagine that the last Pope who visited them was 30 years ago… The fact that the Pope wanted to visit them is something that will go down in history.”
Living in a “Beautiful Paradise” with Daily Challenges
Missionaries in Papua New Guinea face numerous challenges, including limited access to basic necessities like running water, natural gas, and electricity. Father Ravaioli described the difficulties: “It is a place of first evangelization. So everything is yet to be done, everything is new… On the one hand, people consider themselves Christians, but at the same time, they find it very difficult to eradicate these traditions that have been with them for hundreds of years.”
Forgotten but Not Anonymous
Spanish nun Fátima Benito, from the Little Sisters of the Helpless Elderly, works in Alotau, caring for the elderly and sick who have been abandoned by their families. She emphasized the struggles of the local population, saying, “These populations are very poor and have a hard time even finding food, so almost no one takes care of the elderly.”
The Pope’s visit brings hope to these forgotten communities, reminding them that they are important and loved. Sister Benito explained, “They are a little amazed that he is coming, that is, that the head of the Catholic Church is coming, and it makes them very happy and they think: hey, he loves us, we are important to him.”
A Boost for Missionaries and the Faithful
The Pope’s visit is a testament to his commitment to reaching out to the marginalized and forgotten. For the missionaries and the faithful in Papua New Guinea, this visit brings encouragement and a sense of importance. As Sister Benito said, “I am delighted because it seems to me that he is also coming to see me, to our house, for us, the missionaries, it is a great stimulus.”
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea is a reminder that no one is anonymous in the eyes of God. His presence brings hope and joy to the faithful, and his message of love and compassion will resonate throughout the country.
Keyword-rich phrases:
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea
Missionaries in Papua New Guinea
Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea
Forgotten communities in Papua New Guinea
Poverty in Papua New Guinea
Evangelization in Papua New Guinea
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