Did you know the Diocese of Norwich has close links with Papua New Guinea?
The Pacific island might be more than 8,500 miles away but a man brought up in Norfolk became its first Archbishop, and another priest, ordained in Norwich Cathedral became the bishop of its capital city.
This September there is a chance to strengthen the bond by travelling to Papua New Guinea on a pilgrimage with the Bishop of Norwich. Find out more at an information evening on March 11.
The group from Norfolk and Waveney will spend time with Christians around Papua New Guinea, visit a training college for ordinands and attend Martyrs Day commemorations for those who died for their faith after Japanese forces invaded in 1942.
It is 75 years since David Hand, who grew up in Norfolk, became a bishop in Papua New Guinea.
Bishop David, whose father was the vicar of Tatterford, near Fakenham, travelled to Papua New Guinea, inspired by the story of a missionary priest martyred during the Second World War. He arrived in 1946, was consecrated as an assistant bishop in 1950 and became the first Archbhishop of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea in 1977. He was also the first European to apply for citizenship of the newly-independent country.
After establishing the link between Norfolk and Papua New Guinea he spent two years as a parish priest back in Tatterford in the 1980s.
The link was strengthened when the Revd Peter Fox, who was ordained in Norwich Cathedral and served as a curate in Wymondham, went to Papua New Guinea as a missionary priest. He eventually became bishop of its capital, Port Moresby, before returning to the diocese of Norwich as an honorary bishop and priest-in-charge of Lakenham.
The Revd Lynn Fry, of the diocese of Norwich, and her husband Tony, spent three years teaching in Papua New Guinea, culminating in the building of a new church, with funding raised by the Bishop of Norwich’s Lent Appeal.
The 2025 pilgrimage with the Bishop of Norwich, planned for September 1-12, will continue the shared history of Norfolk and Waveney and Papua New Guinea learning, working and praying together.
Anyone interested in finding out more is invited to an information evening at 7pm on March 11 at Granary Court, Bishop’s House, NR3 1SB.
Travellers will be asked to fund their own flights and contribute to expenses in Papua New Guinea. Some grant funding is available for those who need it.
To find out more ahead of the information evening contact Revd Sue Martin on revdsuemartin@gmail.com or Revd Phil Charlesworth on revdphilcharlesworth@gmail.com – and ideally let either of them know by March 6 if you hope to attend the March 11 information evening.
