PORT MORESBY, 07 september 2024 (TATOLI) – Pope Francis, on the second day of his visit to Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, encouraged PNG’s government to improve the living conditions of the citizens of this Pacific country.
In a meeting with the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, members of the government, representatives of the civil society, and the diplomatic corps, which took place in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) hall, the Holy Father urged the government of Papua New Guinea to ensure that the country’s wealth resources are distributed fairly among its people.
Papua New Guinea is rich in natural resources, including minerals, oil, gas, timber, and fish, and cash crops such as coffee, palm oil, cocoa, copra, rubber, tea, and spices, which has attracted many foreign investors wishing to invest in the country.
Pope Francis stated that God has destined Papua New Guinea’s rich natural resources for the entire community, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that local communities also benefit from the exploitation of PNG’s abundant natural resources.
“Outside experts and large international companies must be involved in the harnessing of these resources; it is only right that the needs of local people are given due consideration when distributing the proceeds and employing workers in order to improve their living conditions,” said Pope Francis at the meeting, which took place in the APEC Haus and was attended by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, the President of Nauru, David Adeang, the Prime Minister of Tonga, Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa, and Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, John Rosso.
It is imperative, according to Pope, for all individuals and public authorities alike to support projects that develop natural and human resources in a sustainable and equitable manner, as these assets entail a tremendous deal of responsibility.
“A manner that improves the wellbeing of all, excluding nobody, through concrete programs, international cooperation, mutual respect, and agreements beneficial to all parties,” said Pope Francis.
The Holy Father also commented on strengthening the public institutions. “Increasing institutional stability and building consensus on fundamental choices is a prerequisite for integral and fair development. It also requires a long-term vision and a climate of cooperation among all, even if there is a distinction of roles and differences of opinion.”
As one of the world’s known globally for tribal fighting, Pope Francis has also called for putting an end to tribal violence in Papua New Guinea, which has claimed many lives. “I appeal, therefore, to everyone’s sense of responsibility to stop the spiral of violence and instead resolutely embark on the path that leads to fruitful cooperation for the benefit of all the people of the country.”
Echoing the Pope’s statement, on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Governor General, Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, appreciates the global leadership in advocacy that the Vatican continues to provide on global humanitarian issues like war, human rights, gender issues, climate change, health, and education.
Dadae also praised the Catholic Church’s role in advocating against violence and human rights abuse in the country.
Dadae acknowledged that there are cases of violence in Papua New Guinea, and “in your presence, we want to remind our citizens to observe the moral values and ethical principles that define us as Christians and recommit to love and peaceful coexistence in our society.”
“Our government is intensifying efforts to strengthen the existing partnerships through funding support, institutional alignment, and other state-church collaborative arrangements. As a government, we are funding church-run institutions and have included church workers on government payroll,” Dadae concluded.
The first Catholic missionaries to enter PNG were the Marists, who arrived in 1845 and settled on the Woodlark and Rooke Islands.
Francis is the second pope to visit PNG after St. John Paul II visited the country in 1984 and again in 1995.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
