Papua New Guinea said on Wednesday it will close an Australian immigration centre on a northern island after its Supreme Court ruled it unlawful, but Australia ruled out accepting more than 800 asylum seekers detained there A spokesperson for Dutton did not immediately respond for requests for comment on the closure but Dutton said in Read more
Asia Pacific
Reports that stigmata woman has died untrue
Tuesday, April 26th, 2016
Reports that the woman who is said to have experienced the stigmata at Easter time has died are false. Toaipuapuaga Opapo and her father Reverend Opapo Oeti have used the mainstream media in Samoa to dispel rumors circulating on social media that she is dead. Oeti appeared at a press conference with his daughter at Read more
Guam – Neocatechumenal leader receives hostile reception
Tuesday, April 26th, 2016
The leader of the Neocatechumenal Way in the USA, Guiseppe Gennarini, was confronted by protesters when he arrived in Guam last Thursday. The protesters were from the Concerned Catholics of Guam (CCOG) and the Laity Forward Movement (LFM). This is the latest episode in a long running conflict which has divided Catholics in Guam. It Read more
Wage gaps described as economic apartheid
Tuesday, April 26th, 2016A new study has found large wage gaps between expatriate and local staff in developing countries reduces the effectiveness of aid delivery. The report said some Pacific Island countries had taken to calling the dual salary system ‘economic apartheid’, with the ratio of expat to local salaries ranging from 2:1 to 10:1 for staff with Read more
Melanesia Anglican Church’s new archbishop enthroned in Honiara
Friday, April 22nd, 2016
Thousands gathered at the Provincial Cathedral of Saint Barnabas on Sunday morning to witness the installation and enthronement of the new archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Most Reverend George Takeli. Takeli, from Ulawa in Makira Province, is the sixth Archbishop of Melanesia and Bishop of the Diocese of Central Melanesia. Speaking to the Read more
Working as one to restore Taveuni after Winston
Friday, April 22nd, 2016
A group of people, headed by Nakia Resort owner Robin Kelly and her daughter Julie, have been involved in restoring homes and delivering much-needed food rations and relief supplies to communities on the island of Taveuni that have been affected by cyclone Winston. Julie and her team have raised $102,000 with over $44,000 to food Read more
32-year-old Missionary Bishop on the road to sainthood
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016
Pope Francis has authorised the promulgation of the Decree on the recognition of the heroic virtues of the missionary Bishop Henri Baptiste Stanislas Verjus. Versus (1860-1892) was a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He may now be called Venerable Henri Baptiste Stanislas Verjus. Bishop Verjus is recognised as one Read more
5000 stage rally calling for Papuan Independence
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016
An estimated 5,000 Papuans, including members of the pro-independence National Committee for West Papua, activists and university students as well as seminarians, staged a rally calling for independence in Jayapura, Papua province, on April 13. Peaceful demonstrations supporting Papuan independence were held in several parts on the predominantly Christian Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Read more
Good chance Pope may visit Indonesia
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016
There is a particularly good chance Pope Francis will visit Indonesia next year. However, the Vatican has not released any official confirmation. The Indonesian bishops want Francis to come for Asian Youth Day. The 7th Asian Youth Day is taking place in Yogyakarta, a city on the island of Java, from July 30 to Aug. Read more
Papua New Guinea food shortage leads parents to ‘sell children for rice’
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016A severe food shortage in Papua New Guinea has prompted parents in some isolated communities to sell their young daughters for food. Research by the Protestant United Church in the poverty-stricken Commonwealth nation found fathers in the remote highlands were giving away their daughters, who will be returned after the drought, for bags of rice. Read more