Pope Francis' possible PNG visit offers hope to refugees
St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia has welcomed the news that Pope Francis is likely to visit Papua New Guinea this August, saying his presence could help resolve the dire situation of refugees still held in Port Moresby under an arrangement that neither the Australian nor PNG governments has yet made public.
‘As one of the world’s most prominent advocates for the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers, Pope Francis will no doubt be well aware of the plight of these refugees in PNG,’ said the Society’s National President, Mark Gaetani.
‘We hope that long before His Holiness arrives these long-suffering people will have been brought to Australia for proper humanitarian care. If not, we hope he will be given the opportunity to see some of the appalling conditions in which they are still living.
‘Our position aligns with that of the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and the Solomon Islands which In December asked the Australian Government (in a letter to Home Affairs Minister, Clare O’Neil) to end these people’s suffering and bring them to Australia urgently.’
The refugees fled from conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. They were previously held in the Australian-run detention facility on Manus Island where some inmates died. They are living in unsanitary conditions, lacking food, electricity and health care, with no official financial support. Security in Port Moresby has deteriorated since rioting last month.
‘St Vincent de Paul Society has long advocated for fair treatment for these refugees, many of whom are now accompanied by family members, including two newborns,’ Mr Gaetani said.
‘In his message for the Catholic World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis invoked the Gospel of St Matthew, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me”.
‘These are the sentiments that we and our governments should heed.
As Pope Francis said, “The important thing is that there always be a community ready to welcome, protect, promote and integrate everyone, without distinctions and without excluding anyone.”
Mr Gaetani noted that the upcoming visit to Canberra by PNG Prime Minister James Marape offered another opportunity to resolve the unacceptable situation affecting these refugees left by Australia in his country.
‘This has been an issue in the Australia-PNG relationship over recent years, including claims of contractual irregularities and a lack of transparency.
‘The media and refugee supporters (including our Vincentians) have highlighted the refugees’ dreadful living conditions. A resolution would benefit all parties, not least the refugees themselves whose wellbeing continues to deteriorate as we speak.’
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia consists of 45,000 members and volunteers who operate on the ground through over 1,000 groups located in local communities across the country.
MEDIA CONTACT
0475 068 209 or media@svdp.org.au