OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - It is not necessary to change the Constitution to define the country as Christian: the Bishops on the proposal of possible amendments

Saturday, 22 May 2021

Port Moresby (Agenzia Fides) - "We do not consider it appropriate to make changes to the Constitution to expressly say that Papua New Guinea is a 'Christian nation'". The Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have responded in this way to the recent proposal to amend the Constitution. "The Catholic Church has worked and works to promote Christian faith, principles, values and practices in all the country's provinces, both before and after the adoption of the Constitution - write the Bishops in the note sent to Agenzia Fides -. Religious freedom is not negotiable. We treasure our faith and promote it. It is improper for the government to push people, directly or indirectly, to adopt religious beliefs, values or practices". "To impose the adoption of Christian values - it reads - various articles of the Constitution itself are violated. In its preamble, the document is already committed to safeguarding and transmitting Christian principles. The government must not interfere with our religious beliefs or those of others. Christianity in Papua New Guinea is made up of a variety of groups, and in the Constitution, inspired by good Christian leaders, the values already present are strong. It is our Christian duty to ensure that these laws are enforced". The document, signed by Archbishop Anton Bal, Archbishop of Madang and President of the Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, concludes with the proposal for a public declaration of renewed Christian commitment, promoted by the Churches in collaboration with Parliament and the government on Independence Day, September 16 of each year. "We suggest resuming any further discussion and decision on the matter only after the general elections of 2022, to avoid any inconvenience or misunderstanding". (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 22/5/2021)


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