Catholics celebrate arrival of missionaries

A Catholic church in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s Hanahan, Buka celebrated 100-years of the gift of faith last week following the arrival of its first missionaries at Banis (Karula) in 1922.
Under the theme “Gratitude to the Almighty Father for the 100 years of the Catholic faith”, the vibrant Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish began the three-day event on July 14 with parishes in the Diocese and Hanahan communities involved in traditional presentation at Banis Primary School to mark their faith.
Chancellor of the Diocese of Bougainville Fr Biljohn Arienza was the main celebrant along with Fr Victor Nanaha, the parish priest of Hanahan and the six priests from the diocese.
Marist Bougainville sector delegate Fr Brian Sigere blessed the monument for the first catechist followed by a holy mass at Hahalis on the second day, where the first missionaries settled before they transferred to Hanahan.
Vicar General of the Diocese of Bougainville Polycarp Kaviak urged the people to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary and highlighted the importance of prayer and the holiness of life the next day.
According to the church, it was not easy to bring the Catholic faith when the missionaries came through the swampy area in Banis.
“They experienced difficulties with the rough terrain and struggled with illness and malaria,” a statement said.
“They searched for years and moved from Karolla (Banis) to Hahalis.”
They then settled in Hanahan where the parish is now located.”
“There was resistance at first but as time went by, locals started to join the church with the help of the catechists, the local people accepted the gift of faith from the missionaries.”
As part of Wok Misen (missionary work), the catechists helped a lot in disseminating information about the Catholic faith.
The Catechism was a tool for evangelization.
They built monuments, Haus Lotu (LKK’s and BKK’s) and celebrated the centenary masses in all the areas where the missionaries covered.