The Church in Papua New Guinea has released two notices.

WEST PAPUA

At the recent meeting of the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea spoke in support of our Melanesian brothers and sisters of West Papua. The constitution of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea affirms the dignity of human life and the need to show respect for all people. (Article 3).

The bishops wish to express on behalf of the Anglican Church the hope that the Governments of Papua New Guinea and of West Papua will make every effort to give freedom.to the many displaced people of West Papua to settle and re-establish their sense of livelihood; their homes and gardens.

We appreciate the Papua New Guinea Government’s initiative to provide citizenship to West Papuans who are living in PNG.

We are clear that it is a Gospel imperative that we must “To love the Lord our God and secondly to love our neighbours as ourselves” (Matthew Chapter22 vs 37-39). Therefore we stand in solidarity with the people of West Papua.

++Clyde Igara
Archbishop and Primate 

Archbishop Clyde has also called for responsible honesty and has asked all Christians to pray for God's wisdom in this situation.

A CALL FOR HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6: 8  

Bishops of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea call on all political leaders, public servants and others who are implicated, to be responsibly honest in the current political climate, because dishonesty will bring severe destruction to our nation.

We call on those Union leaders, Student leaders, Political leaders who are responding to the current situation to be honest and be sure that what they are doing is in the best interests of the common people, so that children and students do not become the victims of reactions to crises for self-centred motives

We ask all Christians to earnestly pray for God’s wisdom to be revealed in this situation. 

++ Clyde Igara

The Anglican Communion News Service has more information (see their front page here).