Our History

The Liturgical Catechetical Institute was founded by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, following an initiative by Fr. Kees Van Der Geest, SVD, in 1969. The first Director of LCI was Fr. Henk Te Maarsen, SVD, who later became Bishop of Kundiawa (1997-2007). LCI started with a small office at Malwara in Madang in April 1972, and moved to its current premises in Goroka in November 1974.

Our Functions

Over the years LCI has played a very significant role in supporting pastoral work in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It has sponsored the production and distribution of materials for the Biblical Apostolate, Liturgy, and catechesis. Amongst its achievements have been production of Pidgin Missals (Buk Misa), Catechism, religious Education Material for Grades 1 to 12, song books, prayer books, and the acquisition and distribution of religious objects. It has also sponsored and organized many pastoral courses and conferences over the years.

Our Structure

The Liturgical Catechetical Institute is a Commision of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The official representative of the Bishops’ Conference, and the Head of the Commission, is the Bishop Deputy. Presently, Bishop Dariusz Kaluza, msf, Bishop of Bougainville, is Bishop Deputy. The Operational Head of LCI is the Director, who manages the day-to-day operations of LCI and who reports to the Board of management and the Bishops Conference. Fr. Tomás Ravaioli, IVE, is the current Director.