While the PNG government has made some efforts, the work to combat sorcery related violence is often left to church groups and NGOs says associate professor Richard Eves, from the state society and governance in Melanesia program at ANU. A recent intervention preventing the murder of four women accused of sorcery is being hailed as a Read more
The Communications Secretary for Fiji’s Methodist Church, Reverend James Bhagwan, says the key message from the church is that, “We don’t condone violence in any way, shape or form.” He said it’s a challenge for the church to help people find ways to resolve conflict peacefully. Bhagwan said they have noticed domestic violence on the increase Read more
Witch hunts have been condemned by the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Arnold Orowae. “I encourage all our citizens not to get into this bad habit of accusing innocent and defenceless people of sorcery, resulting in torturing and killing,” said Bishop Arnold Orowae. “This is a moral Read more
Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says women should not let their drive and determination to enter politics make them neglect their God given duties as mothers. He said women hold families, villages, and churches together and they are also the backbone of the country. Tuilaepa was speaking at the final sitting of Parliament for Read more
In recent years the number of Papua New Guinean Christians who have converted to Islam has been considerable. According to the recently released 2011 Census data, the Islamic population in rural areas of PNG has risen from about 300 in the year 2000 to 1352 in 2011. They are concentrated mainly in the Highlands, especially in Read more
Issues such as gender-based violence and HIV can be taboo topics in some communities and behavioural change requires more than just awareness of the problems, says a country director with the British Council New Zealand, Ingrid Leary. She says churches are the major influences of behaviour and some can do much more to lead on Read more
Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, archbishop of Agana, Guam, has issued a press statement saying he intends to file a lawsuit for defamation. An allegation has been made by a third party, that about 30 years ago Apuron molested a former high school seminarian. Apuron says that the allegation is “a horrible calumny.” He said because Read more
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs and the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church will conduct a nationwide assessment of the pastoral needs of Asian and Pasifika Catholics. The assessment will be conducted by a team of social scientists. It will seek the participation of pastoral Read more
An ecumenical service was held at the Centenary Methodist Church in Suva last Sunday to mark the ecumenical contribution of three important church leaders who built a strong foundation of faith in Fiji. Many religious, political and community leaders paid tribute to the tremendous efforts of the late Archbishop Jabez Bryce of the Anglican Church, Read more
The Don Bosco Technical College at Alafua in Samoa celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi said the College has contributed well to developing the students’ confidence, skills and capability in areas like Samoan dancing. He said it had provided champion rowers in the annual long boats – fautasi races Read more