By BENSON WEMA
MELANESIAN Institute for pastoral and socio-economic services has called on all churches throughout the country to support the action in addressing sorcery accusation related violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea.
Director for Melanesian Institute Brother Martin T. Tnines made this call following many recent problems in some regions claiming lives of the people related to SARV.
Brother Martin was speaking during a special event held at the Catholic Bishops Conference in Port Moresby on Monday.
Several missionaries from other denominations along with other guest were also present to witness the event.
According to Brother Tnines, the Melanesian Institute is urging all PNG churches to work together as he believed churches have an ethical and moral responsibility to assist in addressing the problem of SARV in the country.
“It is not the direct victim that are affected, there is intergenerational trauma and a deep effect on children.
“Many children in the country witness extreme acts of violence against those accused of using sorcery and for some of them, it’s their own parents they watched being tortured or beheaded.”
Brother Tnines strongly believed, church leaders and those providing pastoral care, educators and health workers can assist in reducing the SARV.
He said they play a vital role in engaging, educating and interacting with people in the communities.
Furthermore, the Melanesian Institute is also calling on the government to intervene for the voiceless victims and improve basic services such as safe shelter for fleeing survivors and their children, well trained police personnel to investigate and compile cases for prosecution and village court officials with necessary resources, training and education.
In collaboration with the Australian Government through the PNGAus Partnership and, the Institute aims to mobilize the churches involving them in the coalition building work against SARV in the nation.
