Installed

New Bishop Is

Ceremony In Central N. Guinea

(Contributed) THE Most Reverend Leo Arkfeld, SVD. was installed as Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Central New Guinea on March 26, at Wewak, TNG.

Thirty-two priests and lay brothers of the Divine Word Missionaries, and Fran ciscans of the Order of Friars Minor, as well as a large gathering of natives, wel comed his Lordship and conducted him to the temporary church which serves as his pro-cathedral. His Lordslvp was wel comed by the Very Reverend A. Gerstner,

Svd.

His Lordship replied to the welcome ex tended in the name of the missionaries, and then addressed the assembled natives in Pidgin English, A Solemn Pontifical Hieh Mass was celebrated on Sunday morning, March 27.

Natives from distant villages, as well as the Catholics of Wewak, were present.

Many of the former had hiked long hours through the tropical heat to welcome, their new leader. The whole day was taken up by groups of the natives, coming to present their respects and their humble gifts to his Lordship, who received each delegation and spoke to each native in dividually.

A civic reception was tendered the new Bishop on Monday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs, Slattery, of Wewak.

Bishop Arkfeld, SVD, already known in New Guinea as the “Plying Bishop,” arrived in his own mission plane, bring ing the little Auster in for a perfect land ing. This plane will be used to supply the otherwise inaccessible mountain stations of the Vicariate of Central New Guinea.

His Lordship’s co-workers, both of the Divine Word Missionaries and the Fran ciscans of the Order of Friars Minor, look to Bishop Arkfeld. SVD, with complete confidence in his ability and his sincerity.

Ad Multos annos!