Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas: Government and Church partnership will continue in Enga

Sangurap, Wabag: “I stand here on behalf of my people and their Provincial Government to warmly welcome you, distinguished Catholic Church leaders, to Enga Province. Like any other province, we too have our challenges, and it is good that you have experienced this for yourselves.” (referring to the tribal fight)

Enga Governor Grand Chief Peter Ipatas

These were the words of Enga Governor Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas during his congratulatory message on the occasion of the Installation of the third Bishop of Wabag Diocese on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

“Thank you for recognizing one of Enga’s own sons to be the Shepherd of this Diocese. We recently lost Bishop Arnold Orowae, another distinguished son of Enga, and now another one is taking up this seat. Our sincere gratitude to the Pope’s representative in the country to extend to the Holy Father and to God as well for giving us another son of this land to be the Bishop in Enga Province.”

Grand Chief Governor Ipatas described Bishop Soongie as a visionary man who is no stranger to collaborations with the provincial government, other churches, Non-Government Organizations, and Civil Society Organizations, and gave his assurance to Bishop Soongie and the Church leaders present that these collaborations will continue.

“We have been working in partnership with Bishop Justin Ain Soongie since he was a priest, then later when he was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop assisting Bishop Arnold Orowae, and now that he is the Bishop. I want to reassure His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC and all other church dignitaries that the Enga Provincial Government will continue to work in partnership with the Catholic Church.”

Grand Chief Ipatas stressed that the Enga Provincial Government has a policy to work in partnership with the different churches and support them in their respective efforts in service delivery to the people of Enga.