Mendi Catholic Church declared a parish

By PETER WARI
ST MICHAEL Tente Catholic Church on the outskirts of Mendi town in Southern Highlands was declared a parish yesterday to look after five outstations in the Mendi-Munihu district.
The five outstations are Wegia, Sumbra, Kombal, Sengere and Sol.
St Michael Tente Church was part of Kumin Parish in the past while the others were in the Karinz pastoral area. Priest John Wanambo was given the blessing to be the parish priest.
Mendi Catholic Diocese Bishop Donald Lippert said because of the commitment and hard work by Christians, it had been declared a parish.
“It is a great news for the Christians during this Christmas period and few days away from New Year,” he said.
“Being a new parish does not mean we have to relax, we have a greater task ahead and Christians in the parish must stand united to win souls and extend the Word of the Lord.”
Lippert said it was a blessing during this Christmas period “because our youths also received their confirmation sacrament, appointment of communion ministers and others.”
Wanambo became priest of the church since 2008 and it was also his 10th anniversary.
He is from Chimbu.
Wanambo was hailed for his success in rebuilding church infrastructures that were destroyed by tribal fights in the Mendi-Munihu district, construction of Tente Elementary School and law and order awareness that changed many youths.
His first biggest achievement was in 2009 when he organised a self-reliant thanksgiving.
Businessman Lucas Martin said every church member had to contribute something to be self-reliant that would make the Catholic faith strong.
“We cannot continue to rely on the church itself, we have to contribute and win souls.
“We have to stand firm, and this parish declaration on such Christmas event is a blessing because it is the day when Jesus was born, and today a parish has been born,” Martin said.