Port Moresby, PNG, 3 November 2016 -- The different commission secretaries of the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC), met on the 2nd and 3rd November, 2016. The meeting was chaired by Bp. Otto Separi, Bishop Deputy and coordinated by Fr. Victor Roche svd, General Secretary of the CBC and Sr. Kumari Pappu fihm.
Fr. Roger Purcell msc, National Director of the Movement for a Better World, opened the meeting with a presentation on Evangelization. Together with his team, he shared his experience of getting the different dioceses to engage in regular Evaluation and Monitoring as they dwelt on the Conference Pastoral Plan. In implementing the teaching of the church, Fr Roger stressed the need for the Small Christian Communities or Basic Christian Communities (Liklik Kristin Komuniti) to be organised and formed that the teaching of the church may grow. “‘Go tell everyone’ outlines the Conference Pastoral Plan for the different Commissions in the church”, he said.
Discussions dwelt on Inculturalization and Evangelization and the need for the diocese to choose the right candidates to implement the Conference Pastoral Plan in their dioceses. This is vital that the people rediscover and revalitize their faith. The team then discussed possible ways for the Community Animation Services program take root in the different dioceses.
The secretaries of the various commissions were then engaged in presentations, evaluations and plans of their commissions. Several issues were highlighted. The secretaries for health and education are concerned about the reduction of funding to important and relevant programs for the people. Sr. Jadwiga Faliszek SSpS has been worried about the unsteady situation of jobs for health personnel and relevant programs and due to lack of funding. The secretary for Family Life, Sr. Hendrina Sinipo SSpS shared her programs and informed the members of several moral issues that are gradually emerging. Secretary for Catholic Education Joseph Direkoro highlighted the need to reinforce the Catholic identity, while Religious education presented by Sr. Mary McCarthy pbvm stressed the need for religious and moral education and programs in all catholic schools. Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb highlighted the need to use the media to proclaim the ‘Good News’, stressing greater interaction and networking amongst the dioceses and the commercial media. He also suggested that we engage young people in programs that are relevant to them. Mr. Raymond Ton of Caritas PNG stressed the need for more awareness to the people as the national election is coming up. Fr. Valentine Gryk svd updated the members on the programs of the Pontifical Mission Society and encouraged the members to ensure that people in the remote areas are connected with the church.
The meeting also discussed the theme for 2017 – “Care, protection and catechesis of children”. Each commission suggested ways to make it better known and practiced. Together with their members, the different commissions will implement the decisions taken. The next meeting will be held in April, 2017.
