Cardinal Pietro Parolin

A priest’s first duty…

These were the words of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in his address to the priests, religious sisters and brothers, and seminarians of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands on the afternoon of Friday 19th April, 2018, at the St Joseph’s Church in Boroko, Port Moresby.

“Prayer arises from and strengthens our friendship with Jesus; it is the place where ‘heart speaks to heart’,” said Cardinal Parolin as he addressed the over two hundred religious that attended the Eucharistic celebration and the conference thereafter.

Pom residents attend mass with Oceania bishops

72 bishops attended the Mass, which included special musical composition from local PNG musician John Lavu. The bishops were inspired by the traditional dance and beautiful music that enriched the celebration of Eucharist.

The bishops began the day with prayer and Mass. Spirits were high following the uplifting Mass celebrated on Thursday afternoon together with Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Holy See Secretary of State) at the Caritas Technical School, Boroko.  

On Friday (April 13), the bishops returned to dialogue on serious and weighty issues of concern for Oceania.

Bishops conference focuses on climate change

The focus of yesterday’s meetings was the effects of climate change on nations and their economies.

All gathered were delighted that the key note address was delivered by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He is “the no. 2” in the worldwide Catholic Church.

His focus, drawing on the writings of Pope Francis (Laudoto Si’), was to show the connectedness of the entire worldwide human family. His fundamental point was that we all share a common home which we call planet earth.

A sign of solidarity

Among the delegation that arrived today was Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State and second to the Pope of the Catholic Church.

The cardinal will be addressing the federation, speaking specifically on climate change, a current issue greatly affecting the region.

The federation is held every four years, attracting not only bishops but also specialists well versed with climate change, deep-seabed mining, and plight of refugees and youth vocations.

Pope Francis expresses solidarity

His Holiness sent his condolence after hearing of the recent earthquake in Southern Highlands Province.

“He prays especially for the eternal repose of the deceased and for the healing of those injured,” relays the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Pope Francis “offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel as they assist the victims of this tragedy”.