GAZELLE DISTRICT SUPPORTS ST PETER TOROT’s SAINTHOOD CELEBRATION
PICTURE CAPTION: Gazelle District Chief Executive Officer Hubert Wangun (right) presenting the K50 000 funding assistance to Archbishop of Rabaul Archdiocese Rochus Tatamai (left) with staff from the Gazelle MP’s office looking on.
GAZELLE District in East New Britain province, under the leadership of Gazelle MP Jelta, came to the aid of the Catholic Archdiocese of Rabaul with K50 000.
The money was presented to the Archbishop Rochus Tatamai, purposely for the sainthood celebration of St Peter Torot from December 11-14, 2025.
Gazelle District Chief Executive Officer Hubert Wangun presented the money on behalf of Mr Wong, who is also the National Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister.
When presenting the money, Mr Wangun said that Rakunai was the birthplace of St Peter Torot which is in Gazelle district and it was fitting to give to a greater cause.
He said the money is purposely to host the event and cater for over 2000 visitors with Paparatava, Vunadidir and Napapar 2 parishes also hosting some of the visitors.
Archbishop Tatamai was grateful for the kind gesture, labeling it as an investment and not a donation.
He said the money would go back to the people for vehicle and accommodation use and for food supplies.
He said the money would be given back to the people through such manner.
Bishop Tatamai commended Mr Wong for his thoughtfulness towards supporting the work of the church.
“We have 2000 people on record coming in for the event, which we have funded. However, we have others who will come on their own. If they come they have to stay somewhere, eat somewhere and travel to and fro and this money would go towards assisting them”.
He said that it was good but also a challenge for the communities, who were urged to be prepared to receive the pilgrims on arrival.
Bishop Tatamai also assured the district that their financial department would produce an acquittal report on how the funds would be spent.
The event is a combined program for the Archdiocese and Diocese of Catholic Bishop Conference PNG/ Solomon Islands and for the Pomio, Kokopo and Rabaul Deaneries of the Archdiocese of Rabaul.
The celebrations would be jointly held at Rakunai and Vunapope with the main mass at the Takubar Sports field on Sunday
