Tribute to His Excellency Most Reverend Archbishop Emeritus Douglas William Young SVD PhD

His Excellency Most Rev. Archbishop Emeritus Douglas William Young SVD PhD retires as Archbishop of Mount Hagen after 25 years serving the people of Western Highlands and Jiwaka. 

Archbishop Emeritus Douglas Young SVD (left) with Bishop Walenty Gryk SVD (right) in Hagen during the Episcopal Installation of Archbishop Clement Papa

I remember the time 25 years ago when we were overwhelmed by the feeling of loss and confusion when we reluctantly handed over our lecturer, priest, mentor and friend to his new role in Mount Hagen.

I had the privilege of of knowing him since 1999. He gave me my first job working as an assistant supporting the General Assembly of the Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (a strategic planning process).

I was a strong SDA so it was a big learning curve for me to understand the Catholic faith and to unlearn all the biases that made me fear the Catholic, let alone, an Archbishop. It set me off on my own journey and discovery and years later, I became a Catholic - that sent a scare throughout my whole village, still today. NB: Not once has the Archbishop ever asked me to become a Catholic.

Knowing the Archbishop and observing him were some of my best ‘learning moments’. Over the years, we kept in touch and would catch up for a beer, coffee or soup. Those moments were ‘soup for my soul’.

He is one of the best persons God has allowed into my life to guide and nurture me to find my life’s purpose!