Matane thanks Catholics

By FRANKIY KAPIN
FORMER governor-general Sir Paulias Matane has applauded the contribution of the Catholic church in the country on health, education and the spreading of the gospel.
He was responding to the resignation of the head of the Roman Catholic church Pope Benedict XVI this
month.
He said he was also shocked by the news since he had some connections with the Vatican. He and his wife Lady Kaludia had attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II, the predecessor of Pope Benedict XVI.
Sir Paulias shared his sympathy on behalf of the PNG people, especially the Catholic faithful, on the announcement by Pope Benedict to retire due to his old age.
“Unfortunately, this will be the first pope to retire in the last 600 years at the age of 85 during the papal reign,” Sir Paulias said.
He said the Catholic church had the biggest Christian following dating back to the early Christian evolution and today globally has served the people of all races, denomination and ethnicity.