1

PNGCP is a UK-based mission agency dedicated to raising awareness and support for the Anglican Church in PNG

Bikpela singsing bilong nupela Archbisop

Traditional Dogura welcome for visitors

Archbishop Clyde Igara’s enthronement was held in the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, Dogura, attended not only by all ACPNG’s other bishops and hundreds of loyal Anglicans, but by a significant number of overseas visitors. These included the Archbishop of Melanesia, the Archbishop of Polynesia, the Bishop of Taiwan, and representatives from ACPNG’s partners in Australia (ABM-A), New Zealand (AMB-NZ) and the Chair of PNG Church Partnership. The Provincial Governor and the Minister for National Planning were present. All these visitors had to reach Dogura by a lengthy dinghy journey – a significant part of the experience!

On Saturday, the visitors were given a traditional welcome and much food was formally donated by local groups. On Sunday morning, three processions of dancers led the way into the cathedral at the start of a Eucharist & Enthronement, where the Archbishop of Melanesia preached the sermon.

Crowd greets new Arch bishop

Local group bringing gifts of food

ACPNG’s new General Secretary reads the mandate

The afternoon saw many gifts presented to the new Archbishop and his wife, Mother Miriam Igara, before the visitors began their sea journey back to Alotau and beyond.

Great grandson of first Papuan priest

In this Issue • Dogura’s big party p 1 • Influential women p 2 • HR Pioneer p 2 • A national treasure p 3 • GFS – valued import p 4 • Gender and tradition p 5 • Courageous Sisters p 6 • Tough HIV role p 7 • Settlement care & the MU p 8

2

The Contribution of ACPNG’s Women

This enlarged edition of the PNGCP Christmas Newsletter seeks to reflect something of the contribution of women to the Anglican Church in PNG. As elsewhere, they are the usually the unsung powerhouse and day-to-day lifeblood of the institution. ACPNG is leading the way amongst the main churches in PNG in the number of women it has in leading roles. In the following seven pages, the Newsletter inevitably gives only a tiny, but impressive glimpse of some of their vital contributions.

Rachael – a Human Resources Pioneer

During the latter part of her time in PNG, Susan Tonin, a PNGCP-recruited mission volunteer from the Scottish Episcopal Church, was asked to establish the role of Human Resources Officer in ACPNG. In 2011, Susan selected and trained Rachael Naselle as her successor. Rachael is now breaking new ground as the organisation’s first indigenous Human Resources Officer.

Rachael says, “I am based at the Anglican National Office, with a small office and access to internet, telephone and fax services. There are manuals and handbooks very handy. The purpose of my post is to ensure the smooth working of all personnel functions throughout ACPNG and that policies and procedures are adhered to. This remit covers the ANO and all five dioceses. When I travel, I have to use land, sea and air transportation.”

“For a beginner, and a woman like me in a male society, it is very challenging to implement HR practices here. Most often, I am bombarded with issues from ‘Alpha Male’ colleagues whom, in the Melanesian culture, feel offended working under a female manager.”

“I have learnt from seasoned professionals whom I worked with in my past employment., and from the advice and guidance from Susan Tonin, a tough cookie

whom I miss greatly. Now I get my support from my HR network and from the ACPNG General Secretary. Support from top management will make a big difference in my ability to do my job and my success. “

Rachael (on left) relaxing with friends

“In 2011-12, I attended several conferences and professional training programmes provided by the PNG Human resources Management Institute and since have been a member. I am undertaking a two-year Diploma programme in HR Management at Divine Word University, Madang, and will be graduating in March 2014.”

“It’s tough, but I am living my dream of becoming an active HR practitioner, seeing ACPNG accomplishing its goals and objectives for the development of its human resources.”

Grateful thanks to the many willing contributors who have made this Newsletter possible – Mo. Cathlyn & Fr Reginald Makele; Canon Val Gribble; Samson Chicki; Constance Mogina; Susan Tonin; CHN Sisters Valmai & Carol; Sue Ramsden; Rachael Naselle; Aileen Gardham; Heni Meke; Jessica Ingen; Mercinta Maras, Jasper Rea– and the Scottish Episcopal Church for Newsletter sponsorship.

“It’s tough, but I am living my

dream of becoming an active HR practitioner”

3

Anglicare PNG - a national treasure

Anglicare Stop AIDS began in 2000 as an initiative of the Diocese of Port Moresby and was the first and most influential of ACPNG’s responses to the growing HIV crisis. Located in the capital city, Port Moresby, it quickly developed into Papua New Guinea’s largest and best-known indigenous NGO working in the HIV sector. Now it also has offices in Popondetta, Mount Hagen and Wabag and, in partnership with the City Mission (who support disadvantaged and vulnerable out-of-school youths), in PNG’s second city, Lae. Latterly, to reflect its wider range of activities across the nation, the organisation’s name has changed to Anglicare PNG Inc. Throughout, Anglicare PNG has been conceived, managed and developed by women. It was founded by two Australian expatriate wives, working as volunteers, before appointing a Highlands woman, Dominic Abo, as the first National Director in 2005. The present National Director, Heni Meke, was appointed in 2011. She previously worked within the National Health Department, managing the National HIV Counselling and Testing Programme. From the outset, when PNG urgently needed to recognise and grapple with the growing AIDS pandemic, Anglicare Stop AIDS was at the forefront in raising awareness and promoting prevention throughout the country.

Literacy class under the Admin Office

Cleverly harnessing the media, they worked to raise AIDS-awareness amongst some of the most high-risk groups in PNG – police; armed forces; rugby league clubs; long-distance lorry drivers; businessmen; sex-workers – and took the message into schools; churches; rural communities and urban settlements. In 2004, the Anglican Church in PNG started to develop a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy, designed to reach rural and urban communities through its local church congregations. For the next three years, the staff of Anglicare Stop AIDS provided vital training for leaders, clergy, staff and volunteers throughout the Church, before helping the Church equip its own trainers.

Heni Meke with Archbishop Rowan Williams

As its practice-based credibility and professionalism grew, Anglicare Stop AIDS proved a powerful advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. It has had a significant influence on the development of Government understanding, policy and practice guidelines. The complex of buildings on the Anglican Diocesan compound at Port Moresby now includes a purpose-built STI/HIV clinic, providing counselling, testing, treating and managing growing numbers of STI and HIV patients. Now, as Anglicare PNG Inc, the organisation also provides life-skills training programmes targeting vulnerable and marginalised groups such as unemployed and illiterate women and girls; out-of-school youth; female sex-workers.

Baking class

As a centre of excellence in this field, and within sight of PNG’s Parliament, it is hardly surprising that Anglicare PNG is a national showpiece. Recent overseas visitors have included: the Australian Governor-General and Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Princess Anne.

4

GFS - A Valuable Import Founded in 1875, with its fourfold programme of Worship, Study, Work and Play and motto of “Bear One Another’s Burdens”, Girls Friendly Society (GFS) members worldwide are committed to provide services to others. It was Bishop David Hand who encouraged GFS Australia to introduce GFS to Popondota Diocese in 1996. Now, as the only ACPNG diocese with a formal membership (12 branches and 500 members), GFS works there mainly with children and young women. Programmes include: leadership; life-skills; preparing young women for marriage and MU membership; encouragement in local crafts, camps and sports. Teams from GFS Australia, under the leadership of Canon Val Gribble, have been visiting each year since 1998 to support local leaders with training. As a consequence, these local GFS leaders are very active in Sunday School teaching in Popondota and 60 Youth have been trained to take the Sunday School programme to remote parishes when the Bishop visits. However, GFS Australia has a much wider ongoing commitment to ACPNG. At the invitation of Bishop Peter Ramsden in Port Moresby, they developed a three-year Sunday School programme, based on the PNG lectionary, and trained local teachers to use the programme.

A ‘Trainer of Trainers’ workshop for youth in Popondetta Cathedral

Barisari GFS members preparing for the annual GFS Volley Ball competition So far, over 600 teachers have been trained in Port Moresby, Popondota and Aipo Rongo Dioceses, and an invitation has been received to take the programme to Dogura. The Bishops of Aipo Rongo and Dogura have also suggested that trial branches of GFS begin in their dioceses in 2014. In August 2014, Canon Val Gribble will be commissioned as World President of GFS and has chosen Fr Isaiah Masida from Popondota diocese to be her GFS World Chaplain. He will be in the UK for four weeks next summer, including the GFS World Council in Wales.

GFS Australia providing training at Newton Theological College

ACPNG and PNGCP News

The Anglican national office was recently broken into and equipment stolen. On a more positive note, the floor above the national office is being readied to provide office accommodation

for the new Archbishop. Former ACPNG Commissary and PNGCP Committee member, Rev John Ewington has made an excellent

recovery from a heart bypass operation.

5

A Challenge to Tradition

Gender equality remains a real challenge in our own UK society and institutions, including the Church. Imagine what it is like in a country where there are over 800 different languages and cultures, strong male domination and rising violence against women. In the face of this, it is an ambitious step that ACPNG has employed two Gender Officers to try and change this culture inside the Church. These two women are working to raise awareness and sensitivity to human rights, gender equality, and the causes and consequences of gender-based violence. Jessica Ingen works throughout the Aipo Rogo and New Guinea Island dioceses; Mercinta Maras in Popondota, Dogura and Port Moresby dioceses. They experience the additional challenges of transportation, communication, lack of education in many communities - and staying positive when progress is so slow. After agreeing her programme with the two diocesan bishops, Jessica reports, “ I work with a wide range of people: Priests, churches, Mothers Union, schools’ staff and students, orphanage children in Lae, youth, Sunday schools, people living with HIV/AIDS, rural communities. My awareness programmes in the communities include gender, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, children’s rights, law and order, etc.. Some aspects of the training are very practical, from sewing and baking for those living with HIV/AIDS, to the practice of safe sex for women and girls and their management of periods so they can continue to attend classes.” Mercinta writes, “Gender in many places is still an uncomfortable topic and is assumed to refer only to women’s rights. It is either looked at negatively or considered unimportant. People were generally very cautious about including the Gender Programme in their various activities, but this is slowly changing. Since the Gender Programme was started in 2010, we are only recently starting to reach community level, so the focus is always on little successes: husbands being more involved in their family’s welfare and not beating their wives anymore; Priests convincing young people to stay in school after completing the Gender Programme.

“We have trained a large number of people in Gender advocacy and Gender rights information but, as with the HIV/AIDS situation, the challenge is to get them to become active role models or advocates in their own communities.

Jessica ( on the left) with workshop members of Simbai

But, more Priests are becoming ‘gender aware’ and looking to mainstream the gender programme into church life, strengthening people’s relationship with God and helping them understand their roles and responsibilities within their family, church, community and make changes within themselves and their approach to life. I am based at, and also teach in Newton Theological College, an important opportunity to help shape the attitudes and behaviour of future Priests. ”

Teaching at Newton theological College

“Gender in many places is still an uncomfortable topic”

6

Sisters in the front line

In 1951, some 63 years after they had been established to work amongst the poor and disadvantaged in inner-city Melbourne, Bishop Philip Strong invited the Sisters of the Community of the Holy Name (CHN) to work in Dogura. The Sisters soon recognised the need to provide some form of secondary education for Papuan girls and, with the Bishop’s reluctant consent, began the establishment of Holy Name School. Two young women, who were among the first to benefit and having observed the life of the CHN Sisters, asked if a Community could be formed for Papuan women. They were advised to train and practise as teachers to test their vocation. Some years later, whilst visiting Dogura, the CHN Mother Superior had to recognise the persistence of these young women. With the permission and assistance of Bishop David Hand, a site was obtained at Hetune, near Popondetta, and, in the early 1960’s, three young Papuan women accompanied a CHN Sister there to establish this new Community of the Visitation (CV).

Sister Edna

By 1977, the CV Sisters were ready to elect a Guardian from their own numbers and the Community became a truly indigenous one, with continuing interest and support from the Melbourne CHN Community. Today, the CV Community at Hetune, led by Sr Edna Benunu, comprises seven Sisters, five professed Novices and a number of Postulants. Over time, this isolated rural site’s simple buildings, including a guest-house, a classroom and ‘hospice’ cottage, have provided education, care and support for a host of women and

children affected by HIV/AIDS or mental illness, or escaping physical violence. The CV Sisters are also directly involved in the care of HIV/AIDS orphans. Two of the Sisters work in Haus Clare, a children’s home run by Lae City Mission. They provide a stable, much-appreciated presence for the 16 children and young people living there.

Sister Anne and children at the orphanage

The CV Sisters are about to take on another project, that of the care of vulnerable teenage girls who have ended up in custody. The Peace & Justice Commission are building a house close to the Hetune convent, where they plan to send these girls into the care of the Sisters as a half-way house before their full release. Recently, the Community’s original chapel had to be deconsecrated and is to be demolished, a victim of white ants. £50,000 is needed to build a replacement chapel to be at the heart of this caring Community.

Novices and postulants dancing at the chapel deconsecration

7

Constance – A tough, hearbreaking role Having lived in adversarial tension with neighbouring tribes for centuries, how can people living in remote rural PNG communities today understand the invisible, silent killer that is HIV/AIDS? It is the challenge for ACPNG’s four Diocesan HIV/AIDS Development Officers to overcome such fear and ignorance, to help people protect themselves against infection and learn to care for those living with AIDS. Three of these staff are based in the urban settings of Mt Hagen, Popondetta and Kimbe. For the last six years, Constance Mogina has been rurally-based at the Diocesan Office on the Dogura plateau. Her ‘patch’ is vast, stretching from Samurai Island and the Eastern tip of PNG along the coastline to Goodenough Bay and the Oro border, and into the mountains of Dogura, Rabaraba and Sirisiri. She comments, “My travels are normally done on banana boats (dinghies) to coastal communities; walking when going inland; and by boat and truck when I go into town (Alotau). Thanks to Digicel and mobile phones, communication is now easier and I have a lap-top and printer in the office.”

Constance Mogina

“Previously, I worked for 16 years with the Milne Bay Health Department and was attached to UNICEF PNG for five years, helping people in rural communities develop good practice in health, hygiene and child-care.” “As well as overcoming ignorance and stigma towards those living with HIV/AIDS, there are big challenges in this job that I had not encountered before. Here, we have a big problem with many unfortunate children leaving school early, returning to the village and getting themselves involved in risky behaviours such as sex and drugs. We have to try to reach them and educate them about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and give them other life-skills. Their ignorance contributes to the rapid spread of HIV and STIs in PNG. We include practical skills, like basic sewing, baking and woodwork in our education work. Another issue is how to care for and support an infected person and affected families, otherwise ignorance and fear come in and the sick person is driven out and abandoned to die slowly.” “I work with MU members, priests, youth and people in communities, especially HIV volunteers, children and teachers in schools. It is good to see parishes form self-help groups. In a joint effort with the Health Services, we are working to roll-out Voluntary Counselling & Testing facilities in all Anglican Health Centres.” “Despite good plans, we lack funds and resources. I work alone and, without enough staff support, trained volunteers lose their motivation. We lack basics like condoms, leaflets, HIV comics and other resource books to spread awareness and give training. For four years, World AIDS Day was a great opportunity to engage with people in their own communities and languages, to help them understand risky situations and the chances of contracting the virus. It is a huge disappointment that there are no funds to support this activity this year. But, despite of all these setbacks, for the love of God and the people he called us to serve, we move on.”

“My saddest experience was to tell young parents in my own village

that their 15-year old son was dying of AIDS. He died, but they

still won’t believe me.”

8

Mothers Union in Action

Cathlyn Makele making Albs

Cathlyn Makele, wife of the parish priest of St Aidan’s Parish in Morata, one of the squatter settlements in Port Moresby, describes her own experience, “The day-to-day life of the people living here socially, economically and spiritually. As a Mothers Union member, I know that I am called to serve in this ministry and am humble to take up the responsibilities and face the challenges in order to witness Christ in the mission area where my husband and I are serving.”

“Currently, we are visiting broken families, single mothers, sick and mentally-affected and disabled ones. We gain spiritual strength from our Bible reflections, fellowship gatherings, and teaching about prayer, training altar servers, and some training on basic skills such as sewing and fellowship gatherings, and teaching about prayer, training altar servers, and some training on basic skills such as sewing and cooking. Social issues are the challenge for us here, but I still believe in what Christ said, “when two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them”. This really encourages me and the other five MU members of St Aidan’s to try and achieve some of our aims, but the task is still huge for us.”

“In St Aidan’s, MU members, the Christian mothers and the youth are working together in everything we plan to do in the parish. I am so glad we women have our representatives on the Parish Council and one of the mothers is Vice-Chair. However, there is need for our MU members to gain more training as most of my

mothers are illiterate. Please remember us in your prayers and we will also be praying for you”

Wherever the Anglican Church is working in PNG, there you will find the Mothers' Union. The MU was founded in the UK by Mary Sumner in 1876 with the aim of strengthening Christian marriage and family life. It was started in the Dogura area in 1949 and soon spread to other parts of the country. From the beginning, it sought to achieve its aim through prayer and Bible study, caring for those in need, teaching skills such as sewing and cooking, and contributing to the life of the parish. In PNG, as elsewhere, the MU uniform is a valued possession, giving the owner a recognised position in the church family.

Cooking banana bread in a drum oven to raise funds

Procession in Lae during the MU Jubilee (50 years) celebration

Papua New Guinea Church Partnership Registered Charity Number 249446

PNGCP, St Andrew’s House, 16 Tavistock Crescent, London W11 1AP Email: pngcpoffice@gmail.com Tel: 0207 313 3918