Tubiana marks 125 years of faith

Archbishop of Rabaul and Metropolitan Bishop of the New Guinea Islands Rochus Tatamai has called on Catholics to renew their personal conviction, reflect on human existence, and allocate more time to prayer.

Speaking during mass to conclude three days of worship for the Central Bougainville leg of the 125 Years Jubilee Celebrations at Tubiana Parish in Kieta today, Archbishop Rochus urged believers to make themselves available for God's work.

He said while the church celebrates 125 years of history and faith in the region, there is still room for spiritual growth, emphasizing that the future of the church rests on today’s generation.

Archbishop Rochus was joined by Archbishop of Mount Hagen Clement Papa. Both leaders were invited by Bishop of the Bougainville Diocese Dariusz Kaluza to participate in the event.

Priests from local parishes and the Solomon Islands alongside catechists, deacons, religious sisters, and missionaries from across Central Bougainville attended the gathering.

A pilgrim walk from Mangkaki led into the Tubiana Mission grounds earlier in the morning, where thousands gathered for praise and worship.

The Jubilee celebrations commenced in Buin, South Bougainville, last week to mark the arrival of missionaries at Patupatuai in 1903.

The Central Bougainville leg concludes today following services at Pokpok Island on Friday to mark the 1901 arrival of missionaries, and at Mangkaki Point on Saturday, site of the first mission and parish in Bougainville.

The Catholic Church in Bougainville has since expanded to six deaneries and 35 parishes, serving a population of over 200,000 faithful.

The anniversary program now proceeds to Buka in the North region, where three weeks of celebrations will officially draw to a close.