This year, the Bishop’s Lent Appeal is raising money for the people of Papua New Guinea. The focus will be on raising money to help clergy children to complete their education at the Martyrs Memorial School, an Anglican school just outside Popondetta.
Please watch this short introductory video from Revd Lynn Fry, filmed on 5 January 2026. Revd Lynn and her husband Tony, spent three years teaching in Papua New Guinea, culminating in the building of a new church, with funding raised by a previous Lent Appeal.
What will the money be spent on: To raise enough money to send 1 clergy child to Martyrs Memorial School for 1 year. Tuition in schools in PNG is free, but as this school is a boarding school, there are fees to pay each year. Around £400 per pupil per year.
How to help us fundraise: By holding Lent lunches, breakfasts or suppers and sending the proceeds to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal. It would be wonderful if each benefice could raise £400 which covers the cost of 1 pupil per year. However, this is only a suggested target. Please give whatever you are able to do.
Impact: Clergy families in PNG receive no stipend and are reliant on their congregations to support them with gifts of food and money. Therefore, this money will help to provide and complete the education for 1 child. Children who are educated at the school go on into medicine, governance and teaching for example.
Why Papua New Guinea?
The Diocese of Norwich and Papua New Guinea have had close links for a long time. The Pacific island might be more than 8,500 miles away, but a man brought up in Norfolk became its first Archbishop.
It is 75 years since David Hand 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 Archbishop 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.
Papua New Guinea Pilgrimage – September 2025
In September 2025, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher led a pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea for a group from the Diocese of Norwich. They spent time with Christians in PNG, visited a training college for ordinands and attended the Martyrs Day commemorations for those who died for their faith after Japanese forces invaded in 1942.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher says:
“Education is key to empowering young people to find life in all its fulness, as well as play a part in the future wellbeing of their families and communities. I was struck, when I visited Papua New Guinea, how many clergy children, especially the girls, have to miss a year of school because their parents can’t afford to send them. Your support will step in to support families at such times of need, so as to provide a continuous education.”
Meet Bishop Reginald Makele, the Bishop of New Guinea Islands
Bishop Reginald Makele (Bishop Reg) visited Norfolk in November 2025, hosted by Bishop Graham. He visited Aylsham parish church, Wells RNLI lifeboat station, Binham Priory, Walsingham and the Aviva offices in Norwich. He also attended an ecumenical service.
During his visit to Aylsham parish church, he shared insights on the challenges and strengths of the Anglican Church in PNG and requested prayers.
(Bishop Reg video to follow soon)