Diocese welcomes new bishop with installation mass

THE Bereina Catholic Diocese welcomed its new Bishop Otto Separy with an installation mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bereina, Central, on Saturday.
The celebration was attended by Archbishop Kurian Matthew Vayalunkal the Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Cardinal Sir John Ribat MSC, Archbishop Douglas Young SVD, Bishop Anton Bal, Bishop Gilles Cote SMM, Bishop Rochus Tatamai MSC, Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM, Bishop Jozef Roszenski SVD, Bishop Pedro Baquero SDB, priests and nuns, staff of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of PNGSI, officials from the church’s institutions and departments, family and friends from the diocesan community.
Otto, who was the former Bishop Ordinary of Aitape (West Sepik) after being appointed by Pope Benedict 16th on June 9, 2009, was named the new Bishop of Bereina by the Apostolic Nunciature on July 16, 2019 in Port Moresby.
In his homily, Otto highlighted the crucial role of laity and appealed for their constant cooperation in carrying out the word of God and helping the works of the Church.
“This year is the ‘Year of the Laity’ because the Church recognises the significant efforts the laity makes,” Separy said.
“I am your new bishop but I cannot do it alone.
“I implore you to work and support my leadership in promoting the faith and evangelisation, so we can make a big difference in the Diocese of Bereina. I believe in collective ideas and collaborative efforts when working because that is what the church is all about,” Separy said.
Archbishop Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal congratulated Separy for his work in Aitape and said that he would continue praying for him and the Diocese of Bereina, its priests, religious and people.
Cardinal Ribat urged the people to work together and journey with their new bishop, to continue building the church in the diocese.