Readings in PNG Mission History: A Chronicle of Svd and Ssps Mission Involvement on Mainland New Guinea Between 1946 and 1996

1999. Illustrated.. Trade paperback. Very good.. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. . Readings in PNG Mission History is a comprehensive study of the Catholic Church in postwar PNG. The fruit of more than 10 years' research and writing, Readings in PNG Mission History is a breathtaking panoramic view of half a century of mission history, from the re-establishment of the Catholic Church in the war-torn coastal dioceses, to the missionaries' outreach into the Highlands-where they were among the first outsiders to make contact with the more isolated communities. Although a serious academic inquiry, the author never loses sight of the very human individuals who have made postwar history. The book includes personal, often touching recollections of those who have dedicated their lives to PNG mission work. First-hand accounts and original research from primary sources gather together for the first time the tragedies and the achievements, the hard toil and the gripping adventures of the missionary Fathers, Brothers and Sisters. Many of the characters, such as 'Flying Bishop' Leo Arkfeld, are sadly no longer with us and Readings serves as a testament of their contribution to PNG's social, spiritual and economic development. The focus of Fr Frank's research is the work of the Society of the Divine Word and the Holy Spirit Sisters, but Readings necessarily ranges much wider than this. The book compiles the histories of those religious congregations which have shared the work and the harvest of missionary activity. Readings explores the contributions of the many congregations active in PNG: the Marianhill, Marist Brothers, Sacred Heart Brothers, Christian Brothers, Michaelites, Spiritans, and Passionists; the Mercy, Rosary, Notre Dame and Sacred Heart Sisters, among others. Separate chapters catalogue the work of the lay missionary services and the movement of grassroots Catholicism, the Charismatics, Antiochs and Young Christians.