From Vaticannews · Vatican News · · 1m 30s
Three days by boat: A missionary bishop at the ends of the earth
Bishop Jacek Tendej navigates Papua New Guinea's remote diocese by boat for three days to pray with communities.
In brief
Bishop Jacek Tendej navigates Papua New Guinea's remote diocese by boat for three days to pray with communities. Bishop Jacek Tendej of Alotau-Sideia in Papua New Guinea reaches remote communities by boat in up to three days to pray. Originally reported by Vaticannews.
Bishop Jacek Tendej
Bishop Jacek Tendej of Alotau-Sideia in Papua New Guinea walks while praying before the Blessed Sacrament because mosquitoes make prayer impossible.
“It really is the end of the world”
Diocese geography
Only 5 percent of his diocese is land; the rest is water, with 95 percent of the geographical area being water.
Three-day boat journey
Reaching some communities can take up to three days by boat to navigate the diocese's waterways.
Missionary call
Bishop Tendej received an email from the General Curia of his religious congregation asking him to go to Papua New Guinea after Pope Francis was elected.
Pope Francis' letter
Pope Francis wrote that a Church which does not go out to people becomes sick, while a Church that goes out may have an accident.
Bishop appointment
In July 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Tendej as the Bishop of Alotau-Sideia, where he was ordained on September 27, 2025.
Prayer practice
Bishop Tendej walks while praying before the Blessed Sacrament for three reasons: mosquitoes prevent prayer, he doesn't fall asleep, and it's good exercise.
Community response
The faithful in Papua New Guinea look forward to the bishop's visits, with one journey taking four hours to reach a school after a delay.
What matters most
Bishop Jacek Tendej of Alotau-Sideia in Papua New Guinea reaches remote communities by boat in up to three days to pray.
