Catholic Professional Society hosts successful dinner

• Nigel Akuani

 

Port Moresby: The Catholic Professional Society of Papua New Guinea organized a successful Fundraising Corporate Dinner raising over K 580,000.00 on Thursday 26th September at the Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby.

 

The corporate dinner had as its theme: ‘Together we journey in the life and love of God’ (Called to be salt and light of today's world).  Prime Minister Hon. James Marape was the chief guest at the event.  Archbishops, Bishops of the Catholic Church, Ministers and Department Heads, Members of the Catholic Professional Society, Priests and Sisters, Religious, Special Guests from Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands, and nearly 400 people were present for the function.

 

The Prime Minister reassured the Church that more would be done by the government to assist its efforts to help the people take back the country. “The country is at a crucial point in its development and there needs to be an effective partnership between the State and the Church to serve the people better,” he said.

 

He explained he was looking forward to this partnership and commended the Catholic Church and Catholic Professional Society for the great work they have done over several decades. “I encourage the Church to continue as the moral compass of the country.  It is the Church that knows the pain of our people,” he said. “For PNG to become the ‘Richest Black Christian Country’ our lifestyles have to become Christian-based. This will ultimately anchor and bring together this country of a thousand tribes,” he added.

 

According to President of Catholic Professional Society Mr Paul Harricknen, “The fundraiser is to fund the Society’s two major events in 2020 namely laity convention and the Catholic Expo and the Dr Scott Hahn visit in 2021."

 

Bishop of Kavieng and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNGSI, Bp Rochus Tatamai, spoke of a ‘meaningful and constructive dialogue among all development partners’ that is critical to take the country forward.  Issues of climate change, sea bed mining, Tuition Fee Free, Health Services, Refugees and Asylum seekers, Commission Against Corruption and other issues were highlighted.

 

The funds included payments and pledges by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, associates, partners, and benefactors to help assist in realizing the goal of CPS and the Catholic Church.

 

The dinner was complemented by entertainment by the Max Meauri band, West Papuan dancers, and the Bougainville bamboo band. Lucky draw prizes, auctions of paintings and artefacts from PNG and Fiji were part of the event."