Wabag Diocese, Yumi stap laip long Krais: Bishop Justin Ain Soongie Installed as third Bishop

Sangurap, Wabag: The Catholic faithful of Wabag Diocese turned up in numbers on Thursday August 21, 2025 despite tribal conflicts to witness the solemn rite of Canonical Possession and Installation of their son, brother and friend Most Reverend Justin Ain Soongie as the third Bishop of Wabag Diocese at Good Shepherd Cathedral, Sangurap.

Bishop Justin Ain Soongie is seated on his Cathedra (center) with His Grace Archbishop Clement Papa (left) and His Excellency Maurizio Bravi, Apostolic Nuncio to PNGSI (right)

Present to witness this milestone achievement of the Diocese was the Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, Governor of Enga Province and his provincial government delegates, other dignitaries from law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations, and friends.

The joyful occasion began with a lively procession of a composed song to honour Bishop Justin Ain Soongie’s dedicated religious life and service to the church. This was followed by the opening rites and the rite of Canonical Possession, acceptance of the Apostolic Mandate, and handing over of the Crozier. It was an emotional moment for the faithful as they witnessed Bishop Justine Ain Soongie being accompanied by His Grace Archbishop Clement Papa from the Archdiocese of Mount Hagen and the Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, His Excellency Archbishop Maurizio Bravi, to be seated on the Cathedra. The Bishop was then greeted by his priests, representatives from the different groups: mothers, fathers, pastoral workers, children, youth, and people with special needs.

Bishop Justin Ain Soongie during the mass

The celebration had Most Reverend Archbishop Clement Papa from Mount Hagen as the main celebrant with His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC as the concelebrant.

In a fitting homily for the occasion, His Lordship Soongie began his homily giving thanks to God for calling him to be the Bishop of Good Shepherd Diocese, Wabag.

“I know I do not have the strength, but Christ is the good shepherd as we have heard in the Gospel today...A good shepherd that will grant me the strength to watch over you, his people...A shepherd who is always close to his sheep and ready to share in their struggles. I will walk with you, be with you in your struggles, and bring you to Christ.”

Bishop Soongie also highlighted his motto when he was ordained a Bishop in 2021 as “Yumi stap Laip long Krais,” stressing that we are alive in Christ through his word, the Sacraments, and in his Spirit.

Offertory procession

“If we are alive in Christ, we must bring Christ’s light and mercy to others, and this must happen in each of our lives as Christians in our families, tribes, and communities. We must become good shepherds in our own ways in our lives, using the gifts and talents that God gave us. Parents must be good shepherds to their children, the youth must be good shepherds to others, teachers must be good shepherds to the students entrusted to their care.”

He also stressed that, amidst the issues of tribal fights, sorcery accusation-related violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and family problems, everyone must fulfill their calling of being a good shepherd by working collaboratively with Christ’s guidance to build peaceful communities, a peaceful church, and a peaceful province as a whole by bringing back the lost sheep.

Bishop Soongie concluded his homily, emphasising that the Church’s primary role is to bring souls to heaven.

“While the Church is a big institution that provides services like schools and healthcare, its primary role is to bring souls to heaven. Therefore, let us be good shepherds and bring souls to heaven.”

The Installation Mass was concluded with speeches from His Excellency Maurizio Bravi, Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC, His Lordship Bishop Otto Separy, President of CBC PNGSI, Fr Elyas Ayiako SVD, representing the SVD congregation, Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, and a response by the newly installed Bishop Justin Ain Soongie.

Group picture taken after mass.

Bishop Soongie is the third Bishop of the Diocese of Wabag and is the second local Bishop. He succeeds Bishop Arnold Orowae, who passed away last year on December 27, 2025. He was ordained Bishop on September 2, 2021.