Cardinal Tagle Concludes Pastoral Visit to Papua New Guinea as Papal Envoy for Bougainville's 125th Jubilee
- Fr. Brian Nonde CMM
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
PORT MORESBY — His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and Special Envoy of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, has concluded his three-day pastoral visit to Papua New Guinea for the 125th Jubilee of the arrival of the Catholic faith in Bougainville.
The Cardinal departed Jacksons International Airport early this morning for Manila, en route to Rome, after celebrating his final Mass in the country on Monday evening at 6 p.m. at Mary Queen of the Pacific Parish, Waigani.
The farewell Eucharist was celebrated with the Bougainville community living and working in Port Moresby. Concelebrating were His Excellency Archbishop Maurizio Bravi, Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Bishop Jacek Tendej of Alotau, Bishop Paul Sundu of Kundiawa, and Fr. Lawrence Arockiaraj, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
The parish was filled to capacity. Among the faithful present were members of the Filipino community in Port Moresby, and the former President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Dr. John Momis and his wife.
Despite a demanding schedule in Bougainville, Cardinal Tagle appeared fresh and energetic, blessing rosaries for all staff of the Catholic Bishops Conference before his departure.
One Family of Faith
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle reflected on unity, the enduring power of the Gospel, and the roots of evangelization in Bougainville.
"My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise and thank the Lord, who has brought us together as one community, as one family of faith. We join our brothers and sisters from Bougainville in celebrating this special jubilee — the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the first Marist Missionaries, who celebrated the first Mass on 7th August 1901 on Pokpok Island," he said.
Drawing from the Letter to the Ephesians, the Cardinal reminded the faithful: "In Jesus Christ, no one is a stranger. No one is a foreigner. We are all citizens of one kingdom of God."
He noted with providence that the liturgical readings — from Sirach and Matthew 6:24-34 — were the same readings proclaimed at the first Mass in Bougainville 125 years ago.
"We are reliving 125 years ago. The Word of God does not get old. It is ever new," he said.
Reflecting on the Gospel, "No one can serve two masters," Cardinal Tagle warned against modern forms of enslavement — anxiety, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth, appearance and status.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God... For grandparents and parents who are here, please give to your children and grandchildren the best gift that we have received — faith in Jesus Christ. You may give them the most expensive cars, the most expensive jewelry, the most prestigious education, but if we do not give them faith, they remain poor."
"What the early missionaries, Fr. Peter and Fr. Eugene and their companions gave to our ancestors, we in turn will give to the next generation. Can we promise that?" he asked. The congregation responded with a resounding, "Yes!"
125 Years of Faith: Pope Leo XIV's Closeness to Bougainville
The principal purpose of Cardinal Tagle's mission was the historic Jubilee of the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville, held from 14 to 16 August 2026 at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Hahela, Buka Island.
The celebrations, which gathered thousands from across the Autonomous Region, commemorate the first Holy Mass celebrated by Marist Missionaries Fr. Peter Mayr and Fr. Eugene Engbert on Pokpok Island on 7 August 1901.
Today, Bougainville remains about 70% Catholic. As the Autonomous Region prepares for its political future while continuing to heal from the 1988-1998 civil war, the Catholic Church remains its most trusted institution, serving the people through schools, health centres and peace-building programs.
Cardinal Tagle arrived at Jacksons International Airport on 14 August and was received by Archbishop Bravi and Fr. Arockiaraj, with a traditional singsing by a group from Boregaine, Central Province. In Buka, he was received by ABG Minister for Community Development Hon. Melvin Iziras Wilolopa and Bishop Dariusz Kaluza, MSF, Bishop of Bougainville. He also paid courtesy visits to President H.E. Ishmael Toroama and Speaker Hon. Simon Pentanu.
The three-day Jubilee unfolded as follows:
Day 1 — Vigil, 14 August: "Faith is Hearing the Word and Acting on It"
At Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Buka Town, Cardinal Tagle conveyed the Holy Father's greetings: "He knows that I am here, and he sends his warm, paternal and filial greetings to everyone." Reflecting on Luke's Gospel, he said: "Bougainville is celebrating faith... The best way to act on the word of God is to pass it on, to transmit it to the young."
Day 2 — Solemnity, 15 August: Evangelization Begins in the Heart
On the Solemnity of the Assumption, Archbishop Bravi presided at the Jubilee Eucharist at Hahela, preaching: "Evangelization does not begin with the mouth. It begins with the heart... A father who knows how to ask forgiveness, he evangelizes. A mother who loves without growing tired, evangelizes."
Day 3 — Culmination, 16 August: Seek First the Kingdom of God
The culminating Jubilee Mass in the Cathedral, with Cardinal Tagle as principal celebrant, drew thousands from north, south, east, west and central Bougainville. Concelebrants included bishops from Alotau, Bereina, Goroka, Kundiawa, Rabaul and Wabag, along with priests, religious, and civil leaders including former President Dr. John Momis and ABG members.
Cardinal Tagle noted the providence that the Gospel for the day, Matthew 6:24-34 — "No one can serve two masters... strive first for the kingdom of God" — was the same text proclaimed at the first Mass in 1901.
"I can imagine 125 years ago, there was no crowd like this. It must have been just Fr. Peter Mayr and Fr. Eugene Engbert and their few companions. And look, after 125 years, not only people from Bougainville, but people from other parts of the world are here, as though August 7, 1901 is still very fresh," he said.
The Cardinal invited the faithful to a Eucharistic spirituality — to bring daily work, study and cooking to God so it becomes Christ's presence — and to share as one family without distinction, because all receive the same Body of Christ: "The Eucharist is also mission. What you have heard, what you have received, what you have touched — go and share with others."
Message from Pope Leo XIV
Following the homily, Archbishop Bravi read a message from His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, on behalf of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV:
"His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends prayerful greetings and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all gathered for the Solemn Eucharist marking the 125th anniversary of the first celebration of Holy Mass in Bougainville..."
The Jubilee concluded with the bishops imparting a special blessing upon the children — those who, as Bishop Kaluza said, "will carry us to the 150th Jubilee."
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