Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Building enthusiasm for living and sharing the Christian faith is not a matter of “techniques” but of being joyful and serving others, Pope Francis said.

In an afternoon devoted to the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea on Sept. 7, the pope visited with some of the most vulnerable members of society, the Catholics who care for them, and with the country’s bishops, priests, religious, seminarians and catechists.

He started at the Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby, meeting some 800 students as well as children who were living on the streets and children and adults with disabilities who are assisted by the Callan Services network.

Clemens, who cannot hear and signed while his sister Genevieve spoke, asked the pope: “Holy Father, I would like to ask you: Why do we have to suffer with our disability? Why am I not able like others? Why this suffering? Is there hope for us too?”

A young girl said that just having the meeting showed how much the pope loves street children. “Even though we are not productive, sometimes we are troublemakers; we roam around the streets and become a burden for others.”

“I would like to ask you Holy Father,” she continued, “why we do not have opportunities like other kids do and how we can make ourselves useful to make our world more beautiful and happy even if we live in abandonment and poverty?”

Calling the children’s questions “challenging,” Pope Francis responded that every person is unique and has talents and difficulties. He emphasized that God has a mission for each person based on loving others and knowing how to accept love.

“To give love always,” he told the children. “And to welcome with open arms the love we receive from those we care about: this is the most beautiful and important thing in our life, in any condition and for any person — even for the pope.”

“None of us are a ‘burden,’ as you said,” he added. “We are all beautiful gifts from God, a treasure for one another!”

Pope Francis ended his visit at Port Moresby’s Shrine of Mary Help of Christians by listening to church workers share their ministry experiences. These included efforts to help people — usually women or children — who endure torture or face death after being accused of witchcraft.

Sister Lorena Jenal of the Franciscan Sisters of Divine Providence recounted helping one woman among 250 served by her House of Hope since 2017. Maria had been so badly tortured that her survival was uncertain. Today she works advocating human rights alongside Sister Jenal's team.

Father Emmanuel Moku shared his journey as a late vocation ordained at age 52. Initially viewed as unfruitful by his clan due to cultural norms expecting men to become fathers supporting their families financially, he found relief only after ordination when his family took pride in having a priest among them.

Grace Wrakia expressed uncertainty about how long it will take for Papua New Guinea’s church to become truly synodal but emphasized change could come if men supported women within their paternal society. She called for partnership between genders across various roles within church life.

Pope Francis encouraged persistence inspired by missionaries arriving in Papua New Guinea during mid-1800s whose early ministry faced significant challenges yet persevered through failures with faith and zeal.

The pope underscored starting missionary work at societal peripheries including urban deprived segments or remote areas lacking basic necessities while focusing on marginalized individuals affected by prejudice or superstition risking their lives.

“The church desires especially to be close to these brothers and sisters because in them Jesus is present in a special way,” Pope Francis concluded.