Catholics mark Golden Jubilee

By PETER WARI
MENDI town in Southern Highlands came to standstill as hundreds of Catholics marched to Momei Oval to mark the opening of the Golden Jubilee celebration.
Christians from Southern Highlands and Hela packed the oval for the opening of the cathedral rededication mass which will end on Sunday with the closing Divine Mercy and Jubilee Mass.
Even the Hela wigmen joined in as the crowd sang, cheered and marched with their crucifixes.
Inmates from the Bui-Yepi Correctional Services and youths from the Lower Mendi parish led the procession.
Southern Highlands Catholic Bishop Donald Lippert welcomed everyone to the celebration to mark 50 years since the establishment of the Catholic Church in the two provinces.
Bishop Eki Darius was the celebrant.
Christians from the remote areas of the Kagua-Erave and Kopiago in Hela walked for days to Mendi.
People from Erave and those living near the border with Western walked for three days escorted by police, before reaching Mendi on Monday.
Today is thanksgiving in which people will give back to God gifts in appreciation of His blessings.