The canonization of Blessed Peter ToRot is confirmed for Sunday, 19th October 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, and prominent Catholic leaders of Papua New Guinea (PNG) took time to reflect on what this significance occasion meant for Catholic faithful in the country. These leaders are His Eminence Sir John Cardinal Ribat, MSC, Archbishop of Port Moresby, Bishop Otto Separy, President of CBCPNGSI, Bishop Rozario Menezes, SMM, Vice President of CBCPNGSI, and Fr. Lawrence Arockiaraj, General Secretary of CBCPNGSI. His Eminence Cardinal Sir John Ribat, MSC, highlighted the importance of the canonization, describing it as a pivotal moment for both the country and the Catholic Church globally. He noted that Blessed Peter ToRot, a lay catechist who died for his faith, will become a saint of the universal Church. Cardinal Ribat emphasized that this momentous occasion reflects the maturity of the Christian faith in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region. “The canonization of Blessed Peter ToRot reveals the universality of the Catholic Church and reminds us that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary.” “It can be lived each day in our families, workplaces, and communities.” Bishop Rozario Menezes, SMM, underscored the role of Blessed Peter ToRot’s life as a witness to Christian marriage and family life. He pointed out that the sanctity of marriage, particularly the bond between one husband and one wife, is increasingly under threat in today’s world. The bishop highlighted that Blessed Peter ToRot’s official portrait, which depicts him holding two rings in his palms, serves as a powerful symbol of the protection of the sanctity of marriage. He believes that the canonization will shine a global spotlight on the country and offer an example of strong family values to the world. Bishop Otto Separy, President of CBCPNGSI, described the canonization as a significant milestone that would inspire Christians to live out their faith despite challenges. “In today’s world, many external influences challenge our Catholic and Christian faith. Blessed Peter ToRot is an example for us all,” said Bishop Separy. “He never compromised his faith, even in the face of persecution.” Fr. Lawrence Arockiaraj, General Secretary of CBCPNGSI, presented the detailed canonization program, including the national celebrations that will accompany the event. A delegation of approximately 17 bishops from Papua New Guinea and other countries will travel to Rome for the canonization ceremony, along with additional pilgrims from around the world. In addition to the official ceremony in Rome, national celebrations will take place in dioceses across Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Archdiocese of Rabaul, the birthplace of Blessed Peter ToRot. From 11–14 December 2025, daily Masses will be celebrated by bishops and clergy, including His Excellency Maurizio Bravi, Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Cardinal Ribat, and Archbishop Rochus Tatamai MSC, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Rabaul. In recognition of the canonization, the Archdiocese of Port Moresby will hold a thanksgiving Mass on 26th October 2025, celebrating the elevation of Blessed Peter ToRot to sainthood.

Prime Minister James Marape has felt the need to fast track the implementation of the Biometric and Technology reforms in the electoral system to ensure a safe election, now that the 2027 National General Elections is just a year away.Speaking at the Transforming Elections Through Biometrics & Technology Workshop in Port Moresby city this morning, Prime Minister Marape called on all state institutions, political parties, and development partners to “connect the dots” and work with urgency to modernize PNG’s electoral processes.The Prime Minister said this is vital to preserving the sanctity of democracy in Papua New Guinea (PNG). PM Marape reminded participants — including representatives from the Judiciary, Electoral Commission, National Statistics Office (NSO), Civil and Identity Registry (NID), and international partners such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and the United Nations — that the integrity of elections underpins PNG’s democracy.“We are not playing monkey business here — the heart of democracy is people’s choice,” he said.“Time is running out. A day wasted in conversation is a day lost for our country. My government is 100% committed to ensuring the people’s choice is protected and reflected in 2027 and beyond.”The Prime Minister said biometric technology — incorporating fingerprint identification and unified national databases — would significantly reduce fraud, double voting, and manipulation in future elections.“Technology is available, and it is time we use it to remove human interference and ensure transparent, credible results.”PM Marape urged citizens not to fear digital transformation, pointing to nations such as India, where technology has enabled single-day voting and near-instant results.He also called for greater coordination between agencies — particularly the NSO, NID, and Electoral Commission — to establish a single national population database that could underpin the electoral roll and all other government services.

The International Training Institute Badili Campus hosted an inspiring session this week featuring Sir Mahesh Patel, OBE, founder of CPL Group and Chairman of CPL Foundation Inc., as part of its TALKING BOOK SERIES.The event, organized under the leadership of ITI Learning and Development Manager Selvendran Nagulendran, is part of an ongoing initiative to reignite students’ passion for reading. The session centred on Sir Mahesh’s autobiography, THE POWER OF PERSEVERANCE, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Papua New Guinea’s leading entrepreneurs. Mr. Nagulendran said the series was launched to remind students of the importance of reading in an age dominated by social media and technology. “With technology and social media pulling attention away from books, we launched this series to encourage students to read more. Learning about someone who had the passion and determination to build something great from a young age is incredibly motivating.” he said. Sir Mahesh, who made time to personally engage with the students, shared lessons from his own life about resilience, focus, and community service. “I am always willing to create time to have conversations, mentor and inspire young people,” he said, highlighting his commitment to helping the next generation reach their full potential. Students described the session as uplifting and empowering, with many saying they were encouraged to pursue their goals with persistence and self-belief. THE POWER OF PERSEVERANCE is available at selected City Pharmacy outlets for K49, with all proceeds supporting the CPL Foundation Inc.’s ongoing community and educational initiatives across the country.

The family members of the late Constable Noah Biape have expressed their deep disappointment and isolation regarding the actions of the Police Minister, the Police Commissioner, and the leaders of Southern Highlands Province (SHP), led by the Governor. This sentiment arose during the receipt of a petition from the Eastern Highlands Faction. The grieving family, along with relatives from Hela, Simbu, and Eastern Highlands Provinces, have been mourning in silence for seven weeks. They are now demanding an explanation for the perceived disregard shown by these leaders, which has only added to their pain. The family is particularly upset that their petition was not received alongside the one presented yesterday. They feel this sensitive issue was not handled with the respect and consideration it deserved. This oversight has been described as a significant insult to the late Constable Noah Biape's father, Sergeant Henry Biape. As the Police Station Commander for Koroba Kopiago, Sgt. Biape has dedicated 37 years of service to the police force. Combined with his late son's 10 years of service, the family has contributed an impressive 47 years to law enforcement. They believe this treatment is unworthy of their sacrifices and commitment. Sgt. Henry Biape had previously called for peace and calm following the tragic incident, showing respect for the work of the police. However, the events of yesterday, when the SHP, Eastern Highlands leaders, and police hierarchy met to present the petition from the Eastern Highlands family, have deeply hurt the Biape family. They were not approached or consulted by the relevant leaders and authorities, which they see as a failure to address their grief and concerns. This lack of engagement has left the family feeling neglected and disrespected. They view the handling of this matter as an example of leaders addressing issues on an ad hoc basis, without giving them the full attention they deserve. The family believes this approach has only exacerbated their pain and frustration during an already difficult time. The family of the late Constable Noah Biape is now demanding answers from the SHP leaders, the Police Minister, and the Police Commissioner. They want to know why they were excluded from yesterday's joint media conference and petition presentation. This exclusion has led them to consider taking the body of their loved one back to Hela for burial, with plans to return to Mendi to continue mourning until justice is served. This situation highlights the need for greater sensitivity and inclusivity when addressing such tragic and emotional matters. The Biape family hopes their concerns will be acknowledged and that the responsible leaders will take steps to rectify the situation, ensuring that all grieving families are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. [video width="640" height="360" mp4="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/482037369_9546910482053527_8191151768045885373_n.mp4"][/video]

Confirmation has been received of the official passing of the Last Man Standing, Sir Julius Chan. The PM James Marape is expected to make official announcement of the details of this later this afternoon. We will bring you more updates on this story. More on the 5&6pm news on this station and keep following PNG HAUSBUNG for more updates.

PNG FM Limited, parent company of NAU FM, YUMI FM, LEGEND FM, PNG HAUSBUNG, Total Event Company & Magic Factory, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Esther Vele as Deputy General Manager. She will join General Manager Ms. Rosemarie Botong with a focus on driving operational excellence to ensure continued growth for the organization and championing innovation in the business. Ms. Vele brings over 15 years of experience in project management, having previously served as Project Manager at FM Haus Ples, where she delivered PNG FM’s new office complex on time and under budget. Her expertise in project management will play a vital role in enhancing PNG FM’s position in the competitive media landscape. “We are excited to welcome Esther Vele to the leadership team,” said Rosemarie Botong, General Manager. “She brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, which will be instrumental as we continue to expand our operations and more efficiently serve our various stakeholders.” In response to the appointment, Ms. Vele said, “I am honoured to join PNG FM at such an exciting time. I look forward to working closely with the team to build on the station’s legacy and drive new opportunities for growth.”

The Board and management of PNGFM Ltd the holding company of NAU FM, YUMI FM, LEGEND FM, Total Events Company, PNG HAUSBUNG and Magic Factory remains resolutely committed to supporting the PNG music industry and in supporting the development of our local artists. In response to the allegations levelled against a former staff member, the company takes such claims very seriously. General Manager Ms Rosemarie Botong has reiterated the person is no longer an employee of PNGFM and as such any dealings with the person is done so at their own volition. “PNGFM is the only radio station in Papua New Guinea affiliated to the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA), meaning that artists with songs playing on any of our three radio stations (NAU FM/ YUMI FM and LEGEND FM) receive royalties every time their songs play which is paid directly to the artist.” “Each radio station has a strict set of processes and procedures which is oversighted by a music committee, a system that has protected the integrity of our music selection over the 30 years we have operated.” “We remain very much open to feedback from artists and our listeners and encourage you to reach out directly to our General Manager Rosemarie Botong on her email shaz@pngfm.com.pg should you have any concerns.”

The Mama Care ministry was initiated by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) missionaries, Michelle and Brad Venter 3 years ago when they adopted their fourth child at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Goroka Provincial Hospital. Michelle recalls that she felt the Lord spoke to her to minister to the mothers at the NICU Ward. It wasn’t until the end of 2022 that the ministry came about due to COVID. The ministry officially began early January 2023 and has ever since become the Mama Care Ministry. Every Thursday morning Michelle along with other MAF ladies would visit the special care mothers ward at the local hospital with a thermos filled with hot milo and baked goodies to share with the mothers there. But it’s far more than just sharing food and a hot drink with the mothers. Michelle said that their overall goal is to spend quality time with these precious ladies and share the word of God with them. Michelle along with the MAF ladies introduce various activities from colouring picture with inspiring scriptures to hang on the wall and provide wools for the mothers to make their traditional string bags (bilums) or do fun games to keep the mothers busy and entertained during their time at the hospital. One of the mothers made a remark that, “they (the Mama Care Ministry) bring so much life and give us something to do during our wait and stay at the Mama’s Ward and most importantly we get to know more about God through their ministry and time spent with us”. An Audio Bible from MAF Technologies was also donated to the mother’s ward so that the mothers would be able to hear the word of God and with the support from their Church in South Africa Michelle was also able to donate Tok Pisin and English Printed Bibles to the mothers. A mother who received the printed Tok Pisin Bible said that the Mama Care Ministry reminds them of how important it is to raise their children right in the Gods eyes and draws their relationship closer to God.

Captain Olga Carmona scored the winner in the first half as Spain won the Women's World Cup for the first time by beating England 1-0 in the final in front of 75,784 fans at Stadium Australia on Sunday. La Roja, robbed of some of their best talent by a mutiny against coach Jorge Vilda only a few months ago and thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the group stage, outplayed England to deservedly claim their first major title in only their third World Cup. Look back at how the final unfolded here Aitana Bonmati and Teresa Abelleira ran the game from the Spanish midfield and the margin of victory would have been greater had England goalkeeper Mary Earps not saved a second-half penalty. England's second defeat in 39 matches since Sarina Wiegman took over as coach denied them the chance to add a maiden world title to the European Championship crown they won last year. The first Women's World Cup final not to feature either the United States or Germany started at quite a pace with England just about enjoying the upper hand in the battle of two first-time finalists. Forward Lauren Hemp continued where she left off in the semi-final against Australia and screwed the ball towards goal in the fifth minute before clipping a shot off the bar 12 minutes later. Spain responded immediately, with Carmona overlapping down the left flank and driving the ball across the goal but teenager Salma Paralluelo was unable to make contact and Alba Redondo's shot from the far post was well saved by Earps. La Roja took the lead just before the half-hour mark after England were dispossessed in midfield and Abelleira curled a sublime cross-field pass to Mariona Caldentey, who slid the ball forward to Carmona. The left back drove into the area and let fly with an angled shot which flew past the fingertips of Earps and into the far corner of the net. The goal appeared to knock the stuffing out of England and Spain had the better of the rest of the half with Paralluelo pinging a shot off the post just before the break. England have shown their adaptability throughout the tournament and Wiegman switched from three to four at the back after the break, while bringing Lauren James on for Alessia Russo up front. Spain's game, by contrast, has been unchanging and they continued to drive forward with Caldentey bringing a fine save out of Earps with a shot from the edge of the box in the 50th minute. Bonmati hit the bar with a long-range effort just after the hour mark and the Spanish appealed vociferously for a handball against Keira Walsh during their next visit to the England box. The award of a penalty looked a formality from the moment referee Tori Penso was instructed by VAR to review the footage but Earps dived low to her left to stop Jennifer Hermoso's spot kick. James had a shot tipped over the bar by Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll in the 75th minute but Spain were not content to sit on their lead and Earps had to be at her best to deny Ona Batlle as the clock hit the 90th minute mark. England threw all 11 players forward for a corner deep into stoppage time but Coll, playing only her fourth international, came out confidently to gather the ball. Source:rnz.com

A 30-metre sideline penalty goal from Api Koroisau that hit the cross bar and went over has helped Wests Tigers snap a 10-game losing streak to beat the Dolphins 24-23 on Saturday. In a see-sawing contest that built up to an even scoreline in the final stages, a Jamayne Isaako field goal with four minutes remaining appeared to give the Dolphins victory before Koroisau provided a short kick-off to get the ball back. When Isaako and Tesi Niu were penalised for taking Junior Tupou into touch it was Koroisau who put his hand up to take the unlikeliest of penalty goals from out wide - a 40-metre effort from the 30-metre line on the left sideline. His strike curved in before hitting the crossbar and bouncing over in a result that summed up the captain's performance after he switched to the halves following the withdrawal of Luke Brooks due to a calf injury. Koroisau's switch to the halves paid early dividends with the skipper placing a pinpoint kick in the air for Jack Bostock to spill and allow Stefano Utoikamanu and Fonua Pole to combine and score early. The Dolphins struck back shortly after with Isaako finishing off a bullet pass from Kodi Nikorima to go over on the right edge for his 21st try of the season. Jahream Bula's rookie of the year credentials were on full display in the 23rd minute when he slid through a hole to send Asu Kepaoa over with an inside ball close to the line. Dolphins halfback Sean O'Sullivan sold some candy to help the visitors to their second of the afternoon as the back-and-forth tries continued with a dummy to split past John Bateman and find Euan Aitken for a 12-10 scoreline. The Dolphins broke the pattern four minutes after half-time to go in again when O'Sullivan provided the cross-field kick for Jack Bostock to pluck out of the air for his first NRL try. That lead though evaporated quickly as the home side crossed twice in four minutes to stretch out to an eight-point advantage through tries to Alex Seyfarth and Jake Simpkin. The Dolphins needed a spark with the injection of Trai Fuller providing it immediately with the NRL debutant weaving his way over the line on the right edge for a four-pointer that even got a smile out of coach Wayne Bennett. A blunder at the scrum while in possession proved costly for Wests Tigers as the Dolphins opted for a penalty goal to level the scores and bring the match to a grandstand finish. Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma went close to scoring a try late but was denied in a tackle by Tesi Niu deemed high but only sufficient of a penalty - the home side unable to capitalise in the following play. An effort from Fuller to get the ball out of his own in-goal continued an impressive debut for the Dolphins rookie but the final stages went the way of Benji Marshall in his first game officially in charge of the club. Source: NRL. com  

Students from Morobe Province participated in the first of its kind, student parliament. 42 high school and tertiary school students took part in this 3-day event that commenced on the 16th of August through to the 18th of August engaging the students in meaningful youth engagement, building skills in leadership, public speaking and increasing awareness on issues affecting Papua New Guinea. Facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund through the Spotlight Initiative, the Morobe Student Parliament aimed to see how student leaders understood the essence of what it means to be a leader in parliament, the election process involved, and simply how the PNG parliament works. Sessions on leadership led by PNG Tribal Foundation, with sessions on the election process led by Electoral Commission Office Morobe. UNDP's anticorruption team led a virtual session on corruption. Final sessions included haus man and haus meri dialogues with a General Assembly convening to model how decisions are debated and passed on the floor of parliament. UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Dr. Rena Dona during the opening of the student parliament reminded the 42 participants that leadership is not about having a title. “Young people make up 60% of the country’s population which means that you are a powerful force and must be front and center when it comes to decision-making." "That is why we have innovative events like this Student Parliament to build up your skills and to hear what you have to say." “You must also remember that you are here to inspire other young people just like you.” UNFPA also acknowledged the support on the ground, especially from the Evangelical Lutheran Church PNG in Morobe, who facilitated the conversations with the various schools to bring in the selected students to take part in this event. “We are thankful for the support on the ground from the Lutheran Church, also, the Provinces Education Department and not forgetting our key implementing partner, the National Youth Development Authority. Thank you.” Ms. Abegail Dewa, one of the two students from Wasu secondary school in Tawae-Siassi District said that they had to travel 21 hours by ship from their school to reach Lae so they can participate in this program. “We boarded the ship from our district at 6am and arrived at the Lae Wharf by 3am the next day.” “I am the head girl of my school, and I am thrilled to be part of this event." "Now I understand what it takes to be a leader in parliament, what the process is like, and how decisions are made and passed down in Parliament.” “This event is very informative for me and the other students that are here.” “It was worth the journey for me and my school.” UNFPA's National Youth Parliament will be held later this year. Applications will open soon and be announced on UNFPA Papua New Guinea's website and Facebook Page.

Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister James Marape has issued a call to action for the Education Department to expedite the use of 2,000 scholarships offered by Indonesian colleges and universities. This is one of the ways that will strengthen the educational ties between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. This initiative is a direct result of the successful visit by Indonesia President H.E. Joko Widodo last month, during which both nations pledged to enhance bilateral educational cooperation. Prime Minister Marape has taken a proactive approach to capitalize on this opportunity, directing the Department of Education to ensure that the scholarships are leveraged effectively. During a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea H.E. Andriana Supandy, Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the significance of the scholarships and stressed the importance of timely action. He said that this initiative would not only enrich the educational experiences of Papua New Guinea students but also foster reciprocal benefits. Prime Minister Marape urged that the education department immediate utilize the 2,000 education scholarships generously extended by Indonesian colleges and universities. He highlighted that for every student sponsored by Indonesia, Papua New Guinea would reciprocate by sponsoring another Papua New Guinea student, marking a novel approach to fostering educational growth. "This opportunity presented by Indonesia is invaluable, and we must seize it with urgency." “By providing our youth access to international education, we are equipping them to make meaningful contributions to our nation's progress.” “This endeavor aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing quality education, exemplified by our STEM students pursuing studies in the USA, with funding from the Papua New Guinea Government." These scholarships signify a landmark step towards elevating the educational landscape of both nations, fostering knowledge exchange, and fostering enduring cultural connections. Prime Minister Marape's resolute stance underscores the unwavering commitment to education's transformative power in steering the nations' shared future.