‘Strong leadership needed during hard times’

THE re-elected president of the Catholic Professionals Society (CPS) of Papua New Guinea Paul Harricknen has urged Catholics and the rest of the nation to stay vigilant and hopeful in these difficult times.
The CPS re-elected Harricknen unopposed as president for another term at its 2021 annual general meeting last Sunday.
Other members of the central executive committee are Dr Patricia Paraide (vice-president), Michael Varapik (re-elected as treasurer), Collin Yaum (secretary) and ambassador Gabriel Dusava, Kila Ai (both re-elected) and Florence Sariman (member).
The meeting was also attended and witnessed by the general secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference Fr Giorgio Licini and CPS spiritual director Fr Ambrose Pereira.
Harricknen said while many of the pastoral and social events and programmes planned for last year did not take place due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, he was optimistic that the people and the nation would come to accept
and live with the conditions of the times.
“In such difficult times members, the country and its people need good and strong political leadership,” he said.
“The 2022 national general elections, therefore, becomes an important event for the life of this nation, especially following the passing of the founding father of the nation Sir Michael Somare.”
He urged the people to focus on the preparation for the elections.
“The country is facing many issues and challenges already, including the debate on the move to make PNG a Christian state by the force of law,” he said.