Holy Cross Council Unanimously Approves Papua New Guinea Mission

In November 2023 the Council of the Congregation (CoC)—the consultative body of the Superior General, general assistants, and provincial and district superiors—met in Lima, Peru. It was the first such meeting outside Rome in more than twenty years, hosted by the District of Chile-Perú as Holy Cross in Peru marked 60 years of ministry.

From General Chapter to unanimous vote

The central agenda item was a proposed mission in the Diocese of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, following the 2022 General Chapter’s call to open a new congregational mission territory. After presentation and extended dialogue, the CoC voted unanimously on November 15, 2023, to approve the mission.

Superior General Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., described the decision as historic: the first new foreign mission established by the congregation in almost four decades, offered in response to a need affirmed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Responding to the Church’s request

Discernment involved the Dicastery for Evangelization and local church leaders, including the Apostolic Nuncio and the Bishop of Bougainville. A task force visit in August 2023 helped ground the proposal before it was presented to the Council in Lima.

Br. Bednarczyk linked the move to Blessed Basile Moreau’s aim that Holy Cross would pursue “the sanctification of others by preaching the Word of God, especially…in the foreign missions.” For brothers and priests in the congregation, the vote signals that missionary identity remains alive in the twenty-first century.

Broader context of the Lima meeting

The Council also heard updates on ministerial patrimonies, provincial chapters planned for 2024, and pastoral challenges in Latin America through conversations with Cardinal Pedro Barreto and Bishop Jorge Izaguirre, C.S.C. Visits to pastoral centers and Fe y Alegría schools underscored the congregation’s educational and accompaniment charism.