Port Moresby (Fides Service) - Christian spirituality is making headway in Papua New Guinea. People in this area of the Pacific Ocean are increasingly aware of the need for places in which to pray and reflect, draw near to God, share the Word of God, practice meditation and live moments of formation.
Recently a new delegation house cum retreat centre run by the Salesians was opened in East Boroko. The centre has 43 self-contained rooms, offices for the delegation, an Audio Visual room, a Conference Hall, a dining room and a chapel. The structure is tastefully designed. All rooms are accessed via the central corridor that overlooks the courtyard. Colour, arches, wood and metal work all blend together - giving every person a very warm and welcoming feeling. The chapel lined with neat wooden panels draws ones attention to a cross and the image of the resurrected Christ. “It is a place of encounter, like that of Emmaus”, said Fr. Valeriano Barbero SDB, “where people can meet the Lord and the Lord can meet them”. The Center has already been booked for a variety of programmes. Bishops Conference, meeting of Religious Major Superiors, Singles for Christ, retreats for students, meeting for Rotarians are but a few of them.
Papua New Guinea has a population of 5 million who use no less than 700 different languages. Many live in small groups in remote forest areas. Most of the people today are Christians, a few still follow Animist traditions. Catholics are about 1.6 million the other Christian belong to various other denominations. Inculturation of the faith in local culture is a major challenge.
Over the years schools and hospitals were opened by the local Church and run by missionaries. These institutions soon became important reference points in society and for some years now they have been government funded.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2004 lines 24 words 388)