Bishops promote peace in Morata’s holy celebration

Parishioners at St Martin de Porres Parish at Morata, Port Moresby, were blessed on Sunday when five bishops from the Federation of the Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania celebrated Mass with them and promoted peace.
The bishops were Archbishop Jean Pierre Cottanceau (French Polynesia), Bishop Bosco Purthur, (Melbourne, Victoria), Bishop Michael McKenna (Bathurst, NSW); Bishop Pascal Chang-Soi (French Polynesia) and Bishop Gilles Cote (Daru-Kiunga, Western).
When delivering the homily, Bishop McKenna called for peace, saying: “During the Easter season, Jesus shared his peace with us by saying, ‘Peace be with you.’ He invites us to share his peace with others especially with those we are not in good terms.”
Morata Parish chairman Elias Eno Bare thanked the bishops for their participation and presented each with a bilum.
“In Papua New Guinea, we carry some important things in the bilum. Today, we present this bilum to you to carry our love with you,” Fr Bare said.
Archbishop Cottanceau said: “Our god is a god of dances which you shared with us in your beautiful traditional cultural dances during the Holy Eucharist.
“Our god is a god of colours which you shared with us through your beautiful colourful bilas (costumes).
“Lastly, our god is a god of love which you have shared with us through your love that you have shared with us.
“Many years ago missionaries shared their faith with you and today you have enriched our faith with yours.
“We are from different provinces and different countries of Oceania and the world.
“One thing that unites us is the love of Jesus Christ. We promise you that we carry your loving memories in the bilum of our hearts and it will be always remembered.”