By Ms. Arlene Abital

Port Moresby, PNG, 25 September 2016 -- Archbishop Francesco Panfilo, SDB has been honored as ‘Chief’ by the government of Papua New Guinea on the occasion of the 41st Independence Anniversary of the country. The title ‘Grand Companion of Order of Logohu (GCL) is the highest order in the honors system in PNG. ‘Logohu’ is a Motuan word for the bird-of-paradise, the national symbol of PNG. The current Archbishop of Rabaul, East New Britain province in PNG has been awarded this honour for his outstanding contribution in the pastoral care, leadership, education and technical training of the young in the country.

Archbishop Panfilo was born on 23 November, 1942 from the mountainous Northern part of Italy. He made his first profession on 16 August, 1964 and had his perpetual profession on 24 May, 1970 in Canlubang, Philippines. He was ordained as a priest on 27 April, 1974.

He had his practical training in Don Bosco Seminary in Canlubang, Philippines from 1968-1970. His apostolic ministries include the following: Spiritual Director of Don Bosco Makati, Philippines from 1974-1977, Rector of Don Bosco Mandaluyong from 1977-1985, Novice Master in Canlubang in 1985-1987, Provincial in 1987-1993 when Philippines, PNG and East Timor were still considered as one Salesian province. It was only in his last year as a provincial (1992) when there was division of Philippines Province into Cebu that took up East Timor as a mission territory and Manila that retained PNG as a mission territory. He was the Rector of Don Bosco Seminary in Paraῆaque in 1993-1996 and at the Parish of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Paranaque, Philippines from 1996-1997.

He came over to Papua New Guinea in 1997 and had been the Provincial Delegate of PNG in 1997-2001. He was appointed the Bishop of Alotau in 2001 and Coadjutor Archbishop of Rabaul in 2010. Since August 11, 2011, he has been the Archbishop of Rabaul.

The Archbishop has many memorable experiences as a Salesian and has served in several ministries in the Philippines for 32 years. He said “When I became the Bishop of Alotau, I experienced life as a real missionary! The geographical location of Alotau in Milne Bay Province was difficult, but I enjoyed most the reaching out by sea to people in the remotest places of the island. Unlike Alotau, in East New Britain I need to walk from North to South for several days to visit the remotest communities,” the Archbishop reminisced.

Dream for PNG

In his 19 years of stay in PNG as a Salesian missionary, the Archbishop noted, “PNG is one of the richest countries in the world, endowed with natural resources-gas, oil, gold, copper, forest and almost everything in it”. He dreams that the leaders in the country use these resources to bring about many good opportunities for the young, develop human resources and give the best to their people.

Dream for the Church

Quoting the words of Don Bosco “Young people must not only be loved, but they must know they are loved,” the Archbishop encouraged his confreres and the church to continue loving the young. The church has to grow in formation not only the clergy and the religious but also the lay leaders within the church. He said, “They should not only know but practice the Gospel.” Archbishop Panfilo also encouraged the parents, teachers and leaders in the communities to be responsible to educate their children and lead by example.

As a ‘Chief’

The Archbishop said, “I accept with gratitude and humility the title ‘Chief’. Apparently, the government recognizes all the years that I spent as a Salesian priest involved in the education of the young in the country and as an Archbishop of Rabaul. It is an honour and I would like to continue what I have always been doing. I believe that this is the best thing to do as a ‘Chief.’”

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