CBC PNGSI President calls for Catholic Faithful and people of goodwill to work and support Bishop Justin Ain Soongie

Sangurap, Wabag: President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, His Lordship Bishop Otto Separy, congratulated the people of Wabag Diocese on Thursday, August 21, 2025, on the Installation of their new shepherd Bishop Justin Ain Soongie.

CBC PNGSI President His Lordship Bishop Otto Separy

“Bishop Justin is now seated on the Cathedra, but there is great responsibility that comes with that chair...This chair that Bishop Justin is now seated on was vacant for nine months after the passing of Bishop Arnold Orowae, and today we witnessed Archbishop Clement Papa and His Excellency Maurizio Bravi escort Bishop Justin to take his seat on the Cathedra. This now signifies that he has the authority over this diocese to make decisions for the good of it, guided by moral values”.

Bishop Otto commended the people for being active in their faith and encouraged them to continue living out their Catholic faith.

“I come from the coast where missionaries came more than 100 years ago, and we can say that the people’s faith has gone lukewarm in some places. However, here in the highlands of PNG, the church is still young. Missionaries came from Madang to Mount Hagen and then to Wabag, and as we witnessed today, Bishop Justin is just the third Bishop.”

Bishop Otto reiterated Bishop Justin’s homily on being a good shepherd. He said that the work of a shepherd is not just the work of the Bishop’s and that one man alone cannot do it.

“He needs our support. As Catholic faithful, priests and religious, it is our role to be good shepherds in our own families, communities, and parishes. We have to look for the lost sheep in our families and communities and bring them back to the Church... As the President of CBC PNGSI, I am happy that a son of this land was appointed to be the shepherd, someone who knows the situation and the local pastoral approach, and I am now calling the Catholic faithful and people of goodwill to work together with him.”

Bishop Otto concluded his talk by assuring Bishop Justin of the continuous prayers and support of the other bishops of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.