PNG prelate criticises nation’s Christian designation

Rabaul Archbishop Rochus Tatamai told a parliamentary committee earlier this month that the move poses a threat to constitutional freedoms.

In March, Papua New Guinea’s Parliament passed a constitutional amendment formally recognising the nation as a Christian country. The amendment introduced a declaration in the preamble of the Constitution, stating: “(We) acknowledge and declare God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and Holy Spirit, as our Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our powers and authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea.”

In addition, Christianity is reflected in the Fifth Goal of the Constitution, and the Bible is recognised as a national symbol.

Archbishop Tatamai said the change does not align with the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. He raised concerns about the legal, social and theological implications of attempting to legislate Christianity into state law, explaining that politicians were not theologians and risked entering spiritual territory without the understanding to handle it responsibly, the PNG Post Courier reported.

“If we declare PNG a Christian nation,” he asked, “whose version of Christianity are we referring to? We’re not all the same.”

He also warned of a future where attending church could become a legal obligation, not a matter of faith, adding the line between church and state should not be blurred.

Archbishop Tatamai stressed that the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea had been wise to embed freedom of religion and conscience into the Constitution, ensuring that the state remained neutral in matters of faith.

“Now, we risk undoing their vision by imposing a national religion,” he said.

Prime Minister James Marape has been a vocal advocate for the constitutional amendment.

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Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’ (Asia Pacific Report)

Papua New Guinea declares Christian identity in constitutional amendment (Radio New Zealand)