The Catholic Diocese of Kundiawa recently hosted a three-day celebration to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) worldwide and 130 years of missionary presence in Papua New Guinea. The highlight of the event was the celebration of 40 years of priestly service by SVD priest Fr. Ryszard Wajda, parish priest of Wangoi Parish in Chuave District.
Kundiawa Diocese was the first diocese in the Highlands Region to receive and welcome the Divine Word missionaries, who established mission stations on local land 92 years ago. From Denglagu to Mingende and across the highlands, the missionaries built churches, schools, aid posts, and health centres, becoming bearers of light and hope to the communities they served.
The history of the SVD in Papua New Guinea dates back to 1896 when the first missionaries arrived on Tumleo Island in East Sepik Province before later settling in Alexishafen, Madang Province. By 1933, they had travelled through Brahman and the Bundi Range in Madang and eventually settled in Denglagu, Simbu Province, where the first SVD parish was established and continues to stand today. Local mission carriers, helpers, and community leaders played vital roles in helping landowners understand and accept the early missionaries into their communities.
Approving the celebrations, Bishop of Kundiawa Diocese, Most Reverend Paul Sundu, said it was fitting to honour the SVD missionaries for the light they brought to the Highlands and Papua New Guinea as a whole.
“We have long benefited — and continue to benefit — from the schools and health services established by the SVD missionaries over the past 92 years,” Bishop Sundu said. “Many of our children have been educated, and hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved through the health services they introduced.”
The bishop also thanked God for the gift of the missionaries and paid tribute to Fr. Ryszard for his dedicated service through evangelisation and education.
Fr. Ryszard left his homeland of Poland in 1985 as a young priest and has since served in Neragaima Parish, Kup Parish, Hobe Karamui Parish, and Wangoi Parish. Over four decades, he has helped build seven schools and established an outstation at Kieri in the Salt Nomane/Karamui District.
“You shall now be called Papa Bilong Simbu and Papa Bilong Education — Father of Simbu and Father of Education — following in the footsteps of Fr. John Nilles SVD,” Bishop Sundu announced. “Congratulations on your 40th anniversary, and thank you for your invaluable service to the people of Simbu.”
Joining the bishop in congratulating Fr. Ryszard, SVD Provincial Superior in Papua New Guinea, Fr. Richo SVD, expressed pride in his fellow priest’s achievements.
“I am proud of my brother priest, Fr. Ryszard, and the tremendous impact he has had on communities throughout Simbu Province. Congratulations on this milestone, and may God bless you with many more years of service,” he said.
Fr. Richo also thanked the people of Simbu and Wangoi for caring for the missionaries and commended the Kundiawa Diocese for its leadership in organising the celebration.
The ceremony concluded on a joyful note as Fr. Ryszard expressed heartfelt gratitude to the diocese, parishioners, catechists, fellow clergy, and the people of Simbu who supported him throughout his journey.
“First, I thank God for sending me here, my parents and family for their courage and prayers, and the catechists who guided me when I arrived as a young man. I also thank the priests, religious, bishops, and the people of Simbu for accepting me as one of your own. I am blessed to be called a Simbu man,” he said.
Among those present were parishioners from across Simbu Province, pioneer lay missionary Mr. Sieland Herman from Denglagu, SVD missionaries, priests from Highlands dioceses, and representatives from various religious congregations and institutions in Simbu, Goroka, Jiwaka, Mt Hagen, Enga, and Southern Highlands Provinces.