THE BILL TO DECLARE PNG A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY, FELL SHIRT BY 7 VOTES IN PARLIAMENT

The importance of passing the bill would NOT have infringed the rights of other religions or individuals but on the contrary, would have shown to the world that our Parliament and leaders are prepared to declare publicly  the Lord Jesus and the Father God who sent him and the Triune God has the official God if the nation PNG so that on that day God will declare PNG was truly a Christian nation before His angels publically.

Luke 9:26 (KJV)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

It would not be a new idea but a law to consolidate together all other similar events concluded in the past by the PNG government such as...

1. Father of the nation, Grand Chief Somare signed a Covenant declaring PNG a Christian God in writing in 2007.

2. Placed the 400 year old KJV Bible inside the Parliament in 2015.(No Koran or any other Such document inside parliament beside the bible).

3. Declaring the Nation Day of Prayer (to the Christian) God in 2016. 

4. And very recently, PMJM rightfully and wisely opened new PNG EMBASSY in Jerusalem amidst similar opposition both nationally and globally.

I commend the Prime Minister James Marape for taking a bold stance with the majority of his cabinet and caucus members 71 in total to support this bill even as part of his presentation declared an emphatic " Choose you this day whom you will serve.." quoting part of Joshua 24:15. As vulnerable as any human being with shortfalls, PMJM made this bill his second most important contribution toward placing God before the eyes of the globe as truly a Christian country. 

The first was when he declared Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel, despite facing similar opposition.

If this agenda is his second major task to accomplish during his tenure as PM of thus God's nation, he will prevail to see this through amidst the pending VoNC.

I sincerely encourage the opposing 10 MPs to change your mind and vote for this bill. As explained by PMJM, the rights of other religions or persons have not been infringed upon by this legislation.

Do what is expected if the silent majority before God and support it. The blessings are in the unseen realm to be manifested in the natural realm over time.

This legislation supposed to consolidate these long confirmed position accepted by the majority of the populace in PNG. Leaders are supposed to respect the views of the majority.

Those who voted against the Bill need to rethink or your names will be heralded as those who hold differing views on the Christian faith.

Abstract views away from generally accepted faith view expressed numerous times as mentioned must be respected by our leaders.

In so doing, we also profoundly declare and place the destiny of this volatile nation into the hand of the only Living God of Israel who is able to deliver PNG out of its various socio-economic problems it is facing today. 

Some people with no faith or little understanding of the principles of the Bible should refrain from commenting on highly spiritual matters as this one.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

(Romans1:16kjv)

Pastor Tom Watinga. BSc MBA & Evangelist/Pastor.

I forward summary of Parliament response to the second reading of the proposed amendment to declare PNG A Christian country as summarized by article by Solwai Emmanuel Mambei.

CHRISTIAN NATION BILL HALTED

By Solwai Emmanuel Mambei 

01st June 2024 

The Parliament on Wednesday 29th May 2024 voted on whether the Bill to have PNG declared a Christian Country would become law. This was the second reading of the Bill. If the Parliament had voted in favour of it, it would then go on to a third reading before becoming Law. 

Parliament needed 79 votes to have the Bill move on to a third reading before becoming law, but fell an antagonizing 8 votes close, with 71 MPs agreeing to the amendment and 10 MPs opposing the Bill. 

As a result of the rejection of the Bill,  the Constitution will not be amended. The constitution will continue to recognise that each of us is free to choose our own religions, be it Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism , etc. 

The Prime Minister though, in a move seen as wanting to keep the Bill alive, moved a motion for the results of the vote to be rescinded, which means the Bill will live to fight another day in Parliament, instead of being dead and buried. 

What are your thoughts on the Bill to have PNG declared a Christian Nation?

Pope Francis to visit Papua New Guinea in August

Papua New Guinea will be hosting Pope Francis in late August.

Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands general secretary Father Victor Roche confirmed the Pope's visit with RNZ Pacific on Thursday.

Papua New Guinea has approximately two million Catholics - about 20 percent of the nation.

The Pope is visiting two cities in PNG over 3 to 4 days, with the first stop in the capital Port Moresby and the other city yet to be decided.

"We will be of course give a traditional cultural welcome. There are many churches. So all churches and government ministers will join in welcoming the Pope," he said.

"He will meet with Bishops, religious leaders and government ministers."

Late last year, it was being reported that the Pope was considering a visit to Polynesia, which got French Polynesia's Christians community excited.

But the trip to Papua New Guinea had been on the cards for almost a year.

Father Roche looked forward to meeting Pope Francis.

"I will congratulate him and shake his hand."

 Foon, RNZ Pacific Journalist

@eleishafoon

Pope Francis’s announcement for a possible trip to Polynesia in 2024 (PICTURE The Vatican)Pope Francis’s announcement for a possible trip to Polynesia in 2024. Photo: The Vatican

Papua New Guinea will be hosting Pope Francis in late August.

Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands general secretary Father Victor Roche confirmed the Pope's visit with RNZ Pacific on Thursday.

Papua New Guinea has approximately two million Catholics - about 20 percent of the nation.

The Pope is visiting two cities in PNG over 3 to 4 days, with the first stop in the capital Port Moresby and the other city yet to be decided.

"We will be of course give a traditional cultural welcome. There are many churches. So all churches and government ministers will join in welcoming the Pope," he said.

"He will meet with Bishops, religious leaders and government ministers."

Late last year, it was being reported that the Pope was considering a visit to Polynesia, which got French Polynesia's Christians community excited.

But the trip to Papua New Guinea had been on the cards for almost a year.

Father Roche looked forward to meeting Pope Francis.

"I will congratulate him and shake his hand."

People carry items as crowds leave shops with looted goods amid a state of unrest in Port Moresby on January 10, 2024. Papua New Guinea's prime minister declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital on January 11, 2024, after 15 people were killed in riots as crowds looted and burned shops. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)Photo: STRINGER

Meeting with government leaders

Following the recent social unrest involving rioting and looting, Father Roche also hoped the Pope would have some wisdom for government leaders.

Violence broke out in Port Moresby with shops and businesses set alight on 10 January, after public servants, including police and army personnel, went on strike over a payroll issue.

As many as 22 people died in the violence, which prompted the government to issue a state of emergency.

"Surely he will have discussion with government leaders. There will be a meeting with him. Whatever his concerns are about the people. He will say something," Father Roche said.

Although exact details were still being planned, Father Roche said when he shared the news with the general priests they clapped and were "really happy" about the visit.

He said the visit means a lot and holds "great importance for a small nation like Papua New Guinea."

It will be the third time a Pope has visited the nation. Pope John Paul II has visited twice before, first in 1984 and then again in 1995, but it is Pope Francis' first time to Papua New Guinea.