The Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands through its Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue Commission continues to stand in solidarity with the Interfaith Initiative Promoting Harmony by attending the second inter – faith devotional gathering.
Held on Tuesday February 25, 2025 at the Visitor’s Center of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Port Moresby with the theme: Harmonious Relationships: with God, with others, with creation and with self, the gathering aimed to promote understanding through fellowship as well as demonstrate unity in diversity for the well-being of all people who call our beautiful nation home.
In attendance were Papua New Guinea’s religious leaders and representatives. His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC, Bishop Deputy for the Commission of Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue was present along with the Secretary Reverend Fr Angel Savio Sanchez SDB. Accompanying them was Social Communications Commission Secretary Sr Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine MSC with the staff of CBC PNGSI SOCOM.
Bahá’i Community representative Marie Louise Joekari, welcomed all the religious leaders and representatives saying that the gathering was timely, given the ongoing violence and economic crisis.
Sharing the same sentiments, Fr Angel said since the first interfaith gathering in January 2021, there has been a desire among religious leaders to hold the space again to strive to build stronger bonds of friendship, love and respect.
In a media release, the Interfaith Initiative Promoting Harmony stated that in light of the many challenges we all face in PNG, it is even more important to raise the banner of unity and work diligently towards the peaceful and prosperous society envisioned by our founding fathers.
As our country and the world grapples with adversity, we find ourselves reflecting more deeply on the state of our humanity. The genuine and sincere desire highlighted throughout the preparations of this event was the even greater need for faith leaders to promote prosperity and peace through mutual respect and building understanding - ideals that all Sacred and Holy Scripture promote.
The Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue Commission looks forward and is open to more dialogue with other religious leaders in the near future.
Planning and preparations for this gathering were supported by leaders and representatives from the PNG Council of Churches, Islamic Society of PNG, as well as the Hindu, Buddhist and Baha’i Communities spanning over several consultative meetings.
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