BROKEN Bay Bishop Anthony Randazzo is travelling to Papua New Guinea to support the Church “in solidarity and in faith” during Pope Francis’ historic trip.
It is something he says the whole region is looking forward to.
“I hope that it will open the eyes of many to see its beauty, its vibrance, and reveal the deep love the people have for Jesus Christ, and the Church,” he said.
It will be Pope Francis’ first visit to the region, something Bishop Randazzo said had been a great desire of his for some time.
“The Pope has always had a strong interest in the region, and he has been a powerful advocate for the local expressions of faith,” he said.
“This visit will turn the eyes of the world to our region, and particularly Papua New Guinea and East Timor”.
Bishop Randazzo is the president of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania, and says the Pope’s visit encapsulates the Synodal church.
“The entire Synodal process has demonstrated his commitment to bringing voices that have struggled to be heard from the margins to the forefront of the social consciousness of the Church and the world,” he said.
Speaking about the Church in Oceania, Bishop Randazzo said the vast distances between the islands brought both opportunities and challenges.
“It often surprises people, especially in other parts of the world, to learn that Oceania is largely water,” he said.
“Our many people on many islands have developed distinct expressions of faith over centuries, and find a common unity via the water.
“It is a particular responsibility to ensure that we practically and pastorally support our migrating peoples to find the opportunity for work, a new home, and more fundamentally, to find Christ on the journey.”
This excitement has been echoed throughout Southeast Asia.
Fernanda Maria is a translator and text editor for East Timor’s national broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Timor-Leste (RTTL) World News, and says the people are thankful for the Pope’s visit.
“The people are excited to welcome Pope Francis, the Timorese have a long history with the Catholic Church and the people are just so grateful for this visit,” she said.
“Since the announcement there have been so many preparations, I know the Pope is visiting groups of young people and people with disabilities.”.
Ms Maria said the government had invested nearly USD $12 million into the infrastructure upgrades.
This includes a specially designed and constructed altar for Mass by artists from the Vatican, with up to 400,000 people expected to attend.
With the world’s spotlight on East Timor, Fernanda Maria said she hoped the Pope would see the reality the Timorese are facing with over 40 per cent of the population living below the poverty line
“Hopefully with the Pope’s visit it will open the world’s eyes and they can see these conditions, which could lead to more aid, donors and tourism for the people.
She said a lot had changed since the first papal visit by Pope John Paul II in 1989, including the country’s independence, and that the people were excited for Pope Francis’ interest in the region.
