The Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) yesterday launched the official registration website papalvisitpng.com and logo for the 2024 Papal visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in September.
The website designed by CBC’s IT specialist will enable attendees from PNG and Solomon Islands to register and confirm their attendance.
General Coordinator of the Papal Visit, Fr. Lawrence Arockiaraj confirmed the purpose behind launching the website.
“The reason for the website is to bring together the people of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and provide an opportunity to experience the Pope’s presence in the region.”
Meanwhile, the visitation logo, which contains three elements (the cross, the bird of paradise & the word PRAY), was explained by the Chairperson of the Papal Visit and Bishop of Lae Diocese, His Lordship, Bishop Rozario Menezes.
“The cross helps us to recall that the Holy Father comes to visit PNG not in his own name, but in the name of Jesus, whom the Pope represents on earth as the Vicar of Christ.”
“It reminds us of the sacrifice that opens the gates of heaven and obtains salvation, and for this reason since the very beginning of the Church, it became the source of glory for Christians as it is referred to in Galatians 6:14 [“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (ESV).”]
“The bird of paradise represents Papua New Guinea, because this species can be found only in Papua New Guinea and Eastern Australia.”
“The word PRAY is making reference to Luke 11:1 [‘Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”] When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray which gave rise to the most perfect and beautiful prayer that has ever been heard: the Lord’s Prayer.”
Registration is now open with the website’s launch.