Accompaniment: Papua New Guinea
Monday June 24, 2024
Mario Absalon, MSC. 18 March to 9 April 2024. The MSC Province of Papua New Guinea holds a special place in our hearts, not only for its historical significance as our first MSC Mission Ad’Gentes but also for the unique cultural richness and diversity that continue to pose missionary challenges.
On this occasion, what we call regular accompaniment was held in most districts or areas of the vast and magnificent mission territory of Papua New Guinea.
The top priority was the personal encounter with each of the MSC confreres, as much as possible. This allowed me to have a deep experience of Communal Wisdom and Co-sensing with each MSC confrere and listening and learning about the reality of our parishioners, Laiaty of the Chevalier Family, territories, and works of Mission.
This human richness, with its strengths and challenges, together with the cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity, makes the country’s motto, “The Land of the Unexpected,” a real opportunity to firmly believe that our mission makes sense and that it is worthwhile to continue to be the Heart of God in this missionary territory of Papua New Guinea.
The accompaniment included the following places: Provincialate, Parishes, and Formation communities in Port Moresby. Tapini Community in the Papua Highlands, where we have an outstanding education project. In the New Guinea Islands, I was present in Kevieng, Rabaul, and Kimbe. In all these places, personal, community, and People of God encounters took place,
While in Rabaul, I received the news that Pope Francis had exempted the need for a miracle for the canonization of Blessed Peter Torrot. What great news for the Chevalier family and the Archdiocese of Rabaul. From that moment onwards the Positio for the Canonisation is being worked on. We do not yet know when this will happen, but we believe it will be in the near future.
As always, we accompanied the Chevalier Family. Towards the end, there were meetings with the Provincial Team, the Finance Team, and the Formators.
My gratitude to all, especially to our Provincial, Fr. Sylvester Towarwakai MSC, for the organization, openness, and availability to develop this accompaniment in the depths of the heart.
