The Apostolic Nuncio in PNG, His Excellency Fermín Emilio Sosa Rodríguez, on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis presented a third set of COVID-19 medical equipment to Catholic Church health services on 17e November in Port Moresby.
Packages containing respirators, masks, battery-powered oximeters and other important items were handed over by the nuncio in a brief blessing ceremony at the CCHS national office in Boroko. In addition to the donation in kind, the Nuncio handed over a check for ten thousand kinas.
“I have the honor and pleasure as the representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, on his behalf, to present to the people of Papua New Guinea a gift consisting of medical equipment that the Holy Father wishes to help face. pandemic. ” said the nuncio.
“This gesture highlights Pope Francis’ continued concern for PNG and expresses his concern for the people and the Church in Oceania”.
The Archbishop was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea on the 31st from March 2021. This was His Excellency’s first official public engagement after presenting his letter of credentials to Governor General Sir Bob Dadae. As the Pope’s Ambassador, he will report directly to the Holy See on diplomatic and ecclesiastical affairs in the country.
Responding to the Holy Father’s invitation to remain united and help each other, he quoted His Holiness Pope Francis’ speech to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See on February 8, 2021. “2021 is a period that should not be lost. And it won’t be a waste if we can work together with generosity and commitment. In this regard, I am convinced that fellowship is the real remedy for the pandemic and the many ills that have affected us. With vaccines, fellowship and hope are kind of the medicine we need in today’s world.
His Excellency expressed his gratitude to the staff of CCHS for their hard work which has been and will be a source of hope for many people.
“I encourage you to continue your generous service in a spirit of brotherhood as the Holy Father invites us. I am sure this donation will be useful in treating patients infected with the coronavirus and will make it a little easier to be a sibling for those who are suffering from it. “
Catholic National Health Secretary Sr. Jadwiga Faliszek accepted the donations saying, “We are blessed and honored to receive the continued support of the Holy Father. I assure you that whatever we get we cherish and take good care of, remembering that with this support and care people will receive healing. “
St Mary’s Hospital in East New Britain and Raihu Hospital in West Sepik will receive this round of donations as they contain breathing apparatus that the rural doctors working there will need.
Sr. Jadwiga stressed that it is important for the staff not to charge patients as these are gifts from the Pope which are a blessing and should be given or used freely to help those who cannot afford it.
The first donation was made last year and the second in the middle of this year. Both have been successfully distributed in the dioceses.
