Hahela, Buka: The Diocese of Bougainville welcomed the newly installed Bishop, Bp. Dariusz Kaluza to the sound of the famous bamboo band, traditional dancing, joyful singing, presentation of gifts and inspiring speeches.
The item presentation was the second part of the ceremony that followed the episcopal installation on Sunday, 15th November in Hahela. Present as guest speakers were Abp. Emeritus Francesco Panfilo sdb, Apostolic Administrator, Bp Dariusz Kaluza, Bishop of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Abp. Mathew Vayalunkal, Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Outgoing Apostolic Administrator of Bougainville diocese, Emeritus Abp. Francesco Panfilo sdb in his speech congratulated the new bishop and said that he was happy and relieved.
“Bp. Dariusz, I believe that you are a lucky man to be the Bishop of Bougainville because certainly your spirit, capacity, enthusiasm, inventiveness and activities will have plenty of opportunities here and I am sure the people will respond well as they are people of great faith,” he said.
Speaking to those present, Bp. Dariusz emphasized on working together with the Church and government for the good of the people.
“I would like to ask the religious, lay men and women, members of the government to work together to make this region a kingdom of God. We may fail and struggle at times but at the end of the day, we must think of the good of Bougainville and the good of the people,” Bp. Dariusz stated.
Ishmael Toroama, President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville welcomed the new bishop and spoke of peace in the region.
“Today marks a special day for us and the Catholic Church in Bougainville,” he said. “The installation of a new bishop is a stepping-stone on our walk to reconciliation, peace and stability in Bougainville. I believe we can see true healing by promoting peace and strengthening it in our way to
Independence.”
The Apostolic Nuncio congratulated Bp Dariusz and thanked him for accepting the responsibility. He also thanked him for his dedicated service to the Diocese of Goroka during the last four years.
“While you assume your mission to teach, sanctify and govern the Church of Bougainville, we pray that the Holy Spirit may help you to be a Shepherd anointed to anoint the faithful people of God, to be a shepherd with the smell of the sheep and to be a shepherd with the smile of a father.”
“You have to become the image of the Church that goes and remains as a field hospital, pouring like the good Samaritan, the oil and wine of love and care to heal the wounds of everyone who have been stripped, beaten, robbed and left half-dead due to various types of injustices done to them,” said the Abp. Mathew Vayalunkal to the new bishop.
The Nuncio also thanked Abp. Panfilo for his dedication and sacrifice to take on the role as Apostolic administrator of the diocese and wished him all the best for his well-merited life.
Despite the heat of the sun, over three thousand people, young and old, gathered at the field just outside the Cathedral to listen to the speeches from the guests and watch cultural items of song and dance being presented by the different parishes in the diocese. Gifts accompanied the song and dance which were presented to Bp. Dariusz and the other Bishops. The item presentations continued as guests were treated to traditional and modern food dishes prepared the Bougainvillean way.
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