and the independent Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea erected; Ambo took the new See of Popondetta. Due to his services, he was awarded an OBE in 1978 and a knighthood (KBE) in 1988, becoming Sir George. He became the second archbishop of New Guinea in 1983 (remaining also Bishop of Popondetta throughout), succeeding David Hand, and retired six years later, in 1989, at 65 years old, the age of retirement for Papuan bishops. Cargo cult controversy and excommunication In 2007, he was excommunicated after setting a cargo cult with a former Anglican mother superior, Sister Cora (or Kora). They founded a religious movement which they called the Puwo Gawe Ministry, meaning "come and see" in the Ewage language, in reference to the spirits of the dead allegedly bringing "large quantities of goods" to their relatives, and in reference to the Gospel according to St John, chapter 1 verse 39. Sister Cora was reported as the founder of the movement, which Sir George joined at her invitation. The Puwo Gawe Ministry described itself as Christian, and criticised the Anglican clergy for "not doing enough pastoral visits". The movement was a success; it was reported that "[t]he ancestral worship and belief that dead relatives would return with money and cargo is drawing followers right across [the Northern] province and huge guesthouses are built in preparation for the return of dead relatives. [...] [The] Puwo Gawe Ministry has taken Northern Province by storm". It was also described, along with other cult movements in the Northern Province, as being "a major concern both to the Anglican Church and to the provincial and national governments". Following Ambo's death in 2008. the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea reported that he had reconciled with the church, asking for forgiveness, confessing and receiving absolution before his death. The church released the following statement: It called upon the Puwo Gave Ministry's leaders to "say sorry to God for misrepresenting the late Father through their private confessions and return to work with their parish priests and congregations", so as to enable a reconciliation of the province's Anglicans. See also History of Papua New Guinea References 1922 births 2008 deaths People from Oro Province Papua New Guinean Anglicans Anglican bishops of Popondetta Anglican archbishops of Papua New Guinea 20th-century Anglican bishops in Oceania 20th-century Anglican archbishops People excommunicated by Anglican Churches