To the Clergy, Religious, and Faithful of the Diocese of Aitape
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we celebrate the great feast of Easter, I greet you all with the joy of the Risen Lord: Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen!
The Message of Easter
Easter is the heart of our Christian faith. Without the Resurrection, as St. Paul tells us, our faith would be in vain (1 Cor 15:14). But Christ IS risen, and because of this, everything changes.
The empty tomb tells us that death does not have the final word. Sin does not have the final word. Suffering does not have the final word. God has the final word, and that word is LIFE.
Witnesses of Hope
In our diocese, many of you face daily challenges — poverty, lack of healthcare, limited education opportunities, natural disasters. I know that life in the Sandaun Province is not easy.
But Easter calls us to be witnesses of hope. Just as the women at the tomb were sent to tell the disciples “He is risen,” so we are sent to bring the message of hope to our communities.
How Can We Be Witnesses of Hope?
- In our families — By living in love, forgiveness, and mutual support
- In our parishes — By active participation in the sacraments and community life
- In our schools — By educating our children in faith and knowledge
- In our workplaces — By working honestly and treating everyone with dignity
- In our villages — By promoting peace, justice, and care for creation
Special Intentions
This Easter, I ask you to pray for:
- Our seminarians preparing for ordination
- The sick and suffering in our communities
- Peace in families affected by domestic violence
- Young people searching for meaning and purpose
- Our catechists who serve so faithfully in remote areas
My Gratitude
I want to express my deep gratitude to all of you — priests, religious sisters and brothers, catechists, teachers, health workers, and every faithful parishioner — for your dedication to the Gospel in this beautiful but challenging part of God’s vineyard.
Your faith inspires me. Your resilience encourages me. Your love for the Church gives me hope.
Easter Blessing
May the Risen Christ fill your hearts with joy, your homes with peace, and your communities with hope.
May the blessing of Almighty God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — come upon you and remain with you always.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Your brother in Christ,
✝ Siby Mathew, HGN Bishop of Aitape
Given at Bishop’s House, Aitape Easter Sunday, April 20, 2026