By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBC) of PNG and Solomon Islands is volunteering to conduct reconciliation ceremonies for affected higher learning institutions in Papua New Guinea.
General Secretary, Fr Victor Roche, says stakeholders have discussed efforts to bring parties involved together and conduct a ceremony of forgiveness.
Fr Roche says the CBC and other stakeholders are putting their hand up to facilitate reconciliation ceremonies among the parties concerned. CBC believes a neutral body must bring everyone together for a common good.
“We want to see students continue classes and peace be restored,” said Fr Roche.
For the past two weeks, students have been displaced after talks of returning to classes arose following the UPNG student shooting in Port Moresby.
Clashes at Lae’s University of Technology and the University of Goroka resulted in classes being suspended and students told to exit campus grounds.
This morning Fr Roche expressed that there should be no more bloodshed while allowing investigations and for students to allow peace restored.
“We have discussed with different stakeholders to establish a team and facilitate the reconciliation ceremonies,” said Fr Roche.
Meanwhile, Enga students at the University of Goroka have called on the government to investigate what was described as a sudden attack on four Highlands provincial groups, resulting in 46 students being hospitalised at the Goroka General Hospital.
CBC wants normalcy to return, and students to head back to classes.
