Print friendly
Catholics in a Papua New Guinea diocese were urged by their bishop to have nothing to do with services involving the burning of cultural items.
In a pastoral letter to the faithful of Vanimo diocese, Bishop Cesare Bonivento warned against “Solemn Assembly” services on August 26.
This date is the “National Day of Repentance” in Papua New Guinea. The holiday was instituted in 2011.
The official program outlined by the Speaker of PNG’s parliament spoke of the reading of a Covenant and the burning of objects used in idol worship and witchcraft.
It was to begin nationwide at 10am with a blowing of a trumpet.
Bishop Bonivento stated that the program of worship proposed by the “Solemn Assembly” appeared to “be totally confusing and contradictory”.
“It mixes religion and culture, without any reasonable distinction.
“Anybody doing that is eventually led to be disrespectful of the history and culture of our country.
“Nobody can reasonably suggest to destroy the signs of the cultural evolution in PNG.
“Nobody can sensibly suggest to destroy precious handicrafts in the PNG museums.
“All the countries in the world are very jealous of whatever reminds the modern world of their history and their culture.
“Why is it that in PNG we have to destroy everything of our history?”
Bishop Bonivento doubted that the Solemn Assembly programme came from the PNG government.
“It appears to be a private programme and personal initiative of somebody who wants to use the name of the honourable office of the Speaker of Parliament to promote private beliefs.”
PNG’s Council of Churches also announced it would not participate in the programmes and activities of the National Day of Repentance.
In a news report of the occasion, there was no mention of burning of any items.
Sources
Related Posts:
News category: Asia Pacific.
