Archbishop of Port Moresby Sir John Ribat

O’Neill welcomes Ribat’s appointment as Cardinal

Papua New Guinea has more than 3 million Catholics. 

The Archbishop of Port Moresby is the first Papua New Guinean to be evaluated to become a cardinal, and the appointment is done by the Pope.

Immediately below the Pope in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church are the cardinals.

The primary responsibility of a cardinal is to elect a new pope when a pope dies or abdicates the papacy.

Also cardinals have many responsibilities.

Prime Minister O’Neill said the elevation of Archbishop Ribat to Cardinal on Nov 19 will be a time of national pride.