Port Moresby: The Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) of Papua New Guinea commenced its first meeting of the year with a day session focused on key updates, reflections, and planning for 2025. Held in CBC Headquarters, the meeting took place on Tuesday, February 18.
The event, gathering members from various commissions under the CBC, opened with a prayer led by Sr. Sharon of the Committee for Mission, followed by a warm welcome and acknowledgment of the members present from Fr. Lawrence Arockiaraj, General Secretary and the meeting's coordinator.
Some of the key areas of the meeting were on "Christian Formation" and "Integral Human Development." Commissions within the Committee for Christian Formation shared reports on their major plans for 2025, as well as the challenges and successes they experienced in the previous year. Reports from the National Catholic Education, Liturgical Catechetical Institute, Commission of Social Communications, on the other hand the Melanesian Training Institute and Commission for Doctrine, Law & Marriage, Divine Word University and Senate for Priestly Formation sent their apologies as they were unable to attend the meeting due to other commitments.
The meeting is an opportunity to evaluate where the team have come from, and plan what lies ahead, expressed Fr. Lawrence during his welcome address. He said that the feedback from the commissions will allow everyone to align their efforts as they work toward serving people and growing in faith.
The meeting also saw presentations from the Committee for Integral Human Development, which highlighted reports from Caritas Papua New Guinea, the Commission for Youth, Catholic Church Health Services, and more. The discussions centered on addressing social issues, strengthening community services, and advocating for human rights in the country.
As the day progressed, they are engaged in open discussions and shared reflections on the successes and challenges of implementing recommendations from the 2024 AGM. Tea breaks and group photo sessions provided moments for break.
Towards the end of the meeting they had presentations from the ongoing work of commissions involved in Ecumenism and Inter-Faith Dialogue, Right Relationships, while Pontifical Mission Societies sent their apologies as they were unable to attend due to the facts that they have other important commitments. Finance and administrative matters were also discussed to address the operational needs of the CBC for the year ahead.
With the commission heads and representatives participating in the gathering, the meeting serves as a pivotal moment for the CBC to align its mission and vision for 2025. The heads have the opportunity to strengthen collaborative efforts to meet the needs of the Catholic Church and communities across Papua New Guinea.
The meeting concluded with a summary of key takeaways from the discussions and a closing prayer .
Beautiful I really like it i enjoy taking notes from this CBC conference meeting (Parishioner from Daru Kiunga Diocese).Thank you