PNG 'rascalism' worries Salesian head


The Superior of the Salesian Delegation in Papua New Guinea has urged prayers for the country during an election period plagued by 'rascalism' - bands of young people who have drifted into urban areas from the highlands and elsewhere and have resorted to criminal activity to survive.

Fr Val Barbero, who described the young rascals as 'adrift in every sense', listed nine recent violent attacks on clergy and religious.

He said the AD sisters have been attacked four times, a Canossian sister was attacked twice in her clinic, the Caritas school cafeteria was robbed and the sisters threatened at gunpoint, and the PIME sister superior is in a state of shock after her sisters were robbed twice.

In addition, the parish priest of St Joseph's in Boroko was pulled out of his car by armed rascals in front of his residence, the Bishop of Bereina was attacked at gunpoint while returning from the airport, an MSC priest had his car taken from him, the residence of the Archbishop of Port Moresby was looted while he was in Rabaul for a meeting, two yeachers at Don Bosco Boroko were shot at the school gate, and another priest at Gabutu lost his watch, wallet and the parish truck.

LINKS
Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
Armed youths storm PNG retreat house (12/4/02)

SOURCE
Vincentians

9 Jul 2002