Periera is a Salesian priest and secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Commission for young people.

The young people challenged the bishops to spend time with them, accompany them in the reality of day-to-day life, and form and fully involve young people in the life of the Church.

They made mention of the need for good marriages that lead to stable family life.

Other speakers on Friday included:

• Mr Powes Parkop the current Governor of the National Capital District
• Ms Melissa Hitchman the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See
• Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar Auxiliary Bishop of Jayapura
• Archbishop Mark Coleridge Archbishop of Brisbane.

On Friday evening, Cardinal Parolin and the bishops and members of the Catholic Professional Society joined Peter O'Neill, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, for a special dinner.

O'Neill spoke about the invaluable role played by the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea.

He renewed his invitation to Pope Francis to visit the country.

Speakers on Saturday included:

• Prof Kaluwin Chalapan from the University of PNG
• Msgr Gerard Burns President of Caritas Oceania

On Sunday the bishops celebrated the Eucharist in 14 parishes across Port Moresby.

On Monday, a Eucharistic celebration was held for differently abled persons and Street Kids at St Charles Lwanga, Gerehu.

This was followed by a visit to La Salle Technical College, Hohola.

On Tuesday, a concluding Mass will be held at 6.30am at the Airways Hotel. A handover to the new President will be made by Cardinal John Ribat.

Source

• Supplied: Fr Ambrose Pereira
• looppng.com
• Image: Supplied Fr Ambrose Pereira

Eighty six bishops are expected to attend, the largest number of Bishops ever to gather in Wellington.

The Assembly begins at 5pm Monday 12 May with a pohiri at Sacred Heart Cathedral to welcome all of the Bishops from overseas. Mass follows.

There are four sessions at the Assembly.

Input comes from representatives from Australia, the Pacific and New Zealand.

The Assembly deals with such topics as

• immigration policy and detention centres,
• the pastoral implications of earthquakes,
• the situation in Fiji and preparations for October's Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome.

The synod is being convened to discuss the theme of "pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelisation".

The three special workshops at the Assembly have a particular emphasis on spiritual formation and social issues affecting young people and their participation in the life of the Church.

Read media release from New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference.

Source

• Diocese of Auckland Communications
• Image: yumistory.blogspot.com