Leaders of the Papua New Guinea Council of Churches have voiced their concerns on the recent incident on Manus Island that left one Asylum Seeker dead.
Chairman of PNG Council of Churches Fr. Danny Guka, flanked by Catholic Arch Bishop John Ribat, is asking both the PNG and Australian Governments, to review the Asylum Seeker deal and allow Churches to assist in the current situation.
Fr. Danny Guka, said the recent incident on Manas Island, which resulted in the death of an Iranian man and left others seriously injured, has forced them to raise this concerns.
Fr. Danny conveys his condolence on behalf of the PNG Council of Churches to the family of the deceased.
He said many people in PNG, including the Churches, were against the deal in the first place, knowing that such incidents will happen.
Fr. Danny said, this issue on Manus is serious, and both Governments must work together to address it.
Similar concerns were raised by Arch Bishop John Ribat.
Arch Bishop Ribat, said the Asylum seekers were intending to find refuge in Australia, and not PNG. He said the news about them resettling in PNG has moved them to cause this fight.
He pointed out that if there was proper consultation before the MOA was signed between Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the then Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, such incidents will not happen.
Arch Bishop Ribat, has asked the Government to review the Asylum Seeker deal, despite Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Justice Minister Kerenga Kua’s announcements this week that the deal will not be reviewed.
The church leaders are asking the Government to work in partnership with them in providing services like pastoral care and spiritual guidance to the Asylum Seekers victims at this time of fear.
Meanwhile, police and government officials are already on Manus Island investigating the incident.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VCgy8BeE2Z4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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