CBC General Secretary presents report on Day 8 of AGM

Alexishafen, Madang: Day number 8 of the Annual General Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands began with a Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday May 6, 2025.

Bishops celebrating the Eucharist. From left to right: His Lordship Auxiliary Bishop Justin Ain Soongie from Wabag Diocese, His Grace Archbishop Clement Papa from Mount Hagen Archdiocese and His Lordship Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap from Mendi Diocese.

The Eucharistic celebration had His Grace Archbishop Clement Papa from Mount Hagen Archdiocese as the main celebrant. Joining him as concelebrants were His Lordship Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap from Mendi Diocese and His Lordship Auxiliary Bishop Justin Ain Soongie from Wabag Diocese.

In his homily, Archbishop Papa reflected on the revolution and early advancement of the modern world and the transformation that came about with it.

“In the past, it took days for men to cut down big trees, but with technological advancement, knives and axes made work easier...Now imagine the first Christian communities and how Jesus brought about a cultural transformation more than a religious one. He brought about a transformation on the early Christian communities’ perception on the bread of life”

Archbishop Papa concluded his homily by reflecting on the need for each of us to receive the Eucharistic Bread and be sustained by the Father.

The day had His Lordship Bishop Paul Sundu from Kundiawa Diocese as the chair of the day. The agendas included the presentation of the Solomon Islands report by His Grace Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP, National Eucharistic Congress report by His Lordship Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap, the CBC General Secretary’s Report, Education Report on TFF by Bishop Pedro Baquero SDB and meeting by regions.

Meanwhile, the Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands His Excellency Archbishop Maurizio Bravi and his Secretary Monsignor Federico Boni had a quick visit to Divine Word University and the Holy Spirit Cathedral.

From left to right: Monsignor Federico Boni, the Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Maurizio Bravi and DWU President Professor Fr Philip Gibbs SVD.