Reorganised

N. Guinea Missions

Australian Franciscans Replace SVD Personnel in the North- West

MISSIONARIES of the Franciscan Order of the Australian Province have now taken over practically all of the Catholic Mission work on the western section of the north coast of Australian New Guinea.

Until the Japanese invasion, this re gion had been in the care of the mission aries of the Order of the Divine Word since 1896. It was administered in two ecclesiastical divisions the Vicariate Apostolic of Central New Guinea, with headquarters at Kairiku, near Wewak; and the Vicariate Apostolic of Eastern New Guinea, with headquarters at Alexishaven, near Madang.

The Japanese did fearful havoc in these two districts. At least 53 per cent, of the Mission personnel including many leaders were either killed or died as the result of war conditions, and 90 per cent, of the Mission properties (about 700 buildings) were totally destroyed.

IN 1946, the SVD Catholics found them selves faced with an enormous task of rehabilitation; and it was then decided that, as they could not easily get new personnel from Europe, they should seek help from the Australian Francis cans.

Eight Franciscan Priests and one lay brother were sent from Australia to Madang: then to Aitape, 15 miles west of which they established the head quarters of their Mission, at a place called Malol, in May, 1947. Within a year, they had opened several Stations along the coast. At Sissano, 20 miles further west, the Franciscans erected a central hospital which accommodates 50 in-patients and treats about 1,500 out patients per month. A young Sydney man, Dr. Harold Tindale, MB, BS, is in charge of the hospital. He has volun teered to help the Mission for some years. Another Station is at Wanimo, 18 miles further west, near the Dutch border.

This coastal region is poorly populated.

Consequently, not content with their work there, the Franciscan missionaries went inland, among the Wape tribes, who live on the southern slopes of the Torricelli Mountains. There are about 18,000 natives in this area, who were re garded as hostile and savage. The Franciscans succeeded in establishing at once two Stations, at Lumi and Miwaute, about 40 miles inland from Malol (a good five days walk, as distances are evaluated in the islands).

Their success among the Wapes is so patent that the Franciscans plan to open new Stations all over the Torricellis, as soon as possible. Three additional priests are about to join the pioneer band, and Nuns of the newly-founded Order of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (Brisbane) will proceed to the Mission in a few months’ time.

It is interesting to note that the mis sionary neighbours of the Australian Franciscans to the west, over the Dutch border are Dutch Franciscans, whose headquarters are near Hollandia.

Rev. father ignatius donnell, Superior of the newly-established Franciscan Mission in New Guinea, arrived recently in Svdney to seek a suitable vessel for maintaining commu nications along the north coast. He pur chased a former RAN steel vessel of 80 tons, with twin engines; and she is now being fitted and equinped under the supervision of Father Justin.