Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged Catholics in Bougainville to pass their faith to the next generation and remain united as the region marked 125 years of Catholicism while continuing to heal from civil war and prepare for its political future.
Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and special envoy of Pope Leo XIV, joined the Aug. 14-16 jubilee of the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville on Buka Island in Papua New Guinea.
The celebrations commemorated the first Mass in Bougainville, celebrated by Marist missionaries Fr. Peter Mayr and Fr. Eugene Engbert on Pokpok Island on Aug. 7, 1901, according to a report by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
At a vigil Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Buka Town on Aug. 14, Tagle urged Catholics to ensure that the faith received by earlier generations is handed on.
“Bougainville is celebrating faith… The best way to act on the word of God is to pass it on, to transmit it to the young,” he said.
Bougainville is still recovering from the 1988-1998 civil war as the autonomous region considers its political future. The Catholic Church continues to serve communities through schools, health centers and peace-building programs.
Thousands of Catholics from across Bougainville attended the culminating Jubilee Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Hahela on Aug. 16.
Tagle noted that Matthew 6:24-34, the Gospel proclaimed during the celebration, was the same passage used at the first Mass in Bougainville 125 years ago.
“I can imagine 125 years ago, there was no crowd like this. It must have been just Fr. Peter Mayr and Fr. Eugene Engbert and their few companions. And look, after 125 years, not only people from Bougainville, but people from other parts of the world are here, as though August 7, 1901 is still very fresh,” he said.
The prelate told the faithful that the Eucharist carries a responsibility to bring faith into the wider community.
“The Eucharist is also mission. What you have heard, what you have received, what you have touched — go and share with others,” Tagle said.
The cardinal returned to the themes of unity and transmission of faith during his final Mass in Papua New Guinea at Mary Queen of the Pacific Parish in Waigani, Port Moresby, on Aug. 17.
“In Jesus Christ, no one is a stranger. No one is a foreigner. We are all citizens of one kingdom of God,” he said.
Addressing parents and grandparents, Tagle urged them to place faith above material success.
“For grandparents and parents who are here, please give to your children and grandchildren the best gift that we have received — faith in Jesus Christ. You may give them the most expensive cars, the most expensive jewelry, the most prestigious education, but if we do not give them faith, they remain poor,” he said.
“What the early missionaries, Fr. Peter and Fr. Eugene and their companions gave to our ancestors, we in turn will give to the next generation. Can we promise that?” he asked.
During the jubilee, Archbishop Maurizio Bravi, apostolic nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, read a message sent on behalf of Pope Leo XIV.
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends prayerful greetings and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all gathered for the Solemn Eucharist marking the 125th anniversary of the first celebration of Holy Mass in Bougainville…” the message said.
