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Papua New Guinea
Congregation of the Sisters of the Visitation of our Lord
The Sisters of the Visitation of Our Lady is a wholly indigenous PNG religious order, based at Hetune, near Popondetta. It was founded in 1964 by two local girls and since their foundation, the Sisters’ practical, caring ministry has mainly been with women and families in need in Popondetta Town and the surrounding rural communities.
In most areas of PNG, many women have a tough life and distinctly subordinate status, the consequence of ‘bride-price’, cultural and customary practices, and male attitudes and behaviour. Some of the concerning consequences of this for women are the high levels of domestic violence, sexual abuse and pack rape and, especially in the Highlands, low levels of literacy and limited schooling. The growing prevalence of ‘sex for cash’ in a country where many communities have little or no cash economy, and a breakdown of traditional mores and behaviour, is fuelling the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. The current incidence of sexually transmitted infections is already three times the level of any other nation in the Pacific Region.
Life within the Community
The Community numbers 12 members (Sisters, Postulants and Novices). They are situated in an isolated rural setting on land gifted by the local community. It is a mile long, lonely walk on a track through overgrown plantation and bush from the nearest road. Over the telephone, in the office in England, the Network Coordinator talked to one of the sisters about her life in the community. Sister Beverley joined when she was 21 and her interest in a call to the religious life was first aroused by her headmaster when she was at school. Initially she decided to devote the life God had given her to her parents, but when they died she determined to join a religious community and dedicate her life to God there. In the community, the sisters are under the authority of the Mother and household tasks are carefully shared. Prayer and worship are central to their common life. But Sister Beverley’s work is also outside in the local community, primarily at The Martyrs’ School which numbers about 600. Many of the students coming from the rural areas are poor and, when it is night, come to her for food and water. She also helps to sew clothes for them. The work is hard but she is happy.
A recent report on the Community of the Visitation ends by thanking God “for the sisters’ sweetening influence on Papua New Guinea Church’s life” and their valuable ministry to the local community is made clear in a report of Visiting Sisters to the 40th Anniversary celebrations at Hetune:
Many people came to celebrate with the sisters: parishes, village people, ex-sisters and friends of the community. There was a Mass accompanied by a traditional dance group, feasting and the presentation of gifts to the sisters by the many groups present. During the time we were there we experienced the sisters’ ministry of hospitality not only to ourselves but also to a mother of four small children who was dying from AIDS. The workers were trying to get her back to her village so that when she died the children would be looked after. There was also a man having marital troubles but his wife had joined him there and they were reconciling. A young girl came from a village as she was having trouble with her parents. They were also giving refuge to a young man who had recently lost his mother and sister and couldn't cope with his grief in the village. Then there were the students from Martyrs’ School who were on holiday but their villages were too far away so they came to the sisters. None of them can afford to pay anything but they do hop in and help. Sister Ann teaches religious education to the students at the St Margaret's School of Nursing and Sister Beverley is Chaplain to the girls at Martyrs’ School. The sisters are also planning to give workshops on AIDS Awareness and Family Planning both at their home and in the villages. What I admired most about them is that they always have something to praise and thank God for. We take so much for granted.
Sister Carol, CHN, Community of the Holy Name, Melbourne.
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