Papua New Guinea Council of Churches (PNGCC) will not participate in the programs and activities of the National Day of Repentance this Wednesday (26 August).
This was confirmed today by chairman of the PNG Council of Churches and the Anglican Bishop of Port Moresby Bishop Denny Bray Guka during a media conference.
This conflicts with the official program outlined by the Speaker for the national holiday service on Wednesday, which speaks of reading of a Covenant and the burning of objects used in idol worship and witchcraft.
Bishop Guka said since the introduction of the National Day of Repentance, PNG member churches had not been a part of it as there was no consultation with the churches about it.
He said as the PNG Council of Churches, they were not part of the initiative that derived from the covenant.
“We will not participate in the programs as we have never been part of that from the beginning and we have not been invited to discuss the covenant in the first place.
“We must not mislead the people as it is a very sensitive issue.
“We want people to understand it properly and Christians to pray that God will show us the right thing to do,” he said.
Bishop Guka encouraged Christians to pray for the country at their homes on the day.
“I am appealing to Christians that we can pray for the country but we will not participate in any programs that have been initiated by the Speaker of Parliament,” Bishop Guka said.
According to the Speaker of Parliament, a Solemn Assembly Program on Wednesday begins nationwide at 10am with a blowing of a trumpet.
Activities include the Declaration of Purpose, Consecration of the Assembly, public reading of the Covenant and public declaration.
It also includes the burning of objects used in idol worship and witchcraft as well as collecting the Aliyah Offering.