CathNews New Zealand

A spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands said that an increase in population, far from being a “nightmare” could mean social and economic growth for the country.

Papua New Guinea does not need to promote family planning or practices such as contraception and abortion,” said Fr Giorgio Licini, secretary of the conference’s Commission for Social Communications.

He said that the annual population growth rate of about three percent, similar to many developing countries but far ahead of the ageing Western nations, is not a problem for the country.

“With a population which is still limited and with considerable internal resources, [PNG] can easily plan to become a country of 30-40 million people by the end of the century, with a much stronger and diversified economy,” Fr Licini said.

Last month Radio Australia reported that a family planning push was underway in Papua New Guinea to address the issue of maternal deaths

Source

• asopa
• Image: Radio Australia

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News category: Asia Pacific.