Prime Minister James Marape has called on Papua New Guineans to use tomorrow’s National Day of Prayer and Repentance to seek God’s guidance, wisdom and peace ahead of Parliament’s historic consideration of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum Result.
The National Day of Prayer and Repentance on Wednesday, August 26, comes just one day before the referendum result and related documents are scheduled to be formally presented to Parliament on Thursday.
Mr Marape said the timing of the National Day of Prayer and Repentance was deeply significant and urged Churches, communities and citizens across the country to dedicate the day to prayer for Parliament, Bougainville, national unity, reconciliation and lasting peace.
“This is a deeply significant day for our nation,” the Prime Minister said.
He specifically called on Christians throughout Papua New Guinea to remember the words of Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Mr Marape said Papua New Guineans should approach the historic parliamentary process not with fear, division or hostility, but with humility, wisdom and a commitment to lasting peace.
The Prime Minister’s call comes as the nation prepares for Parliament to consider the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville referendum, in which 97.7 per cent of participating voters chose Independence and 2.3 per cent voted for greater autonomy.
However, Mr Marape stressed that the referendum result is now part of a constitutional process established under the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Constitution, with the final decision-making responsibility resting with the National Parliament.
He urged Papua New Guineans to recognise the gravity of the matter and pray for Members of Parliament as they undertake their constitutional responsibilities.
“Let us approach this important moment not with fear or division, but with humility, wisdom and a commitment to lasting peace,” he said.
Mr Marape said the decisions surrounding Bougainville would have implications extending far beyond the present generation.
“This is not an ordinary Parliamentary Debate. It concerns our Constitution, our Sovereignty, our National Identity, the aspirations of the Bougainville people and, above all, the Peace that our people have worked so hard to maintain,” he said.
He said Papua New Guinea should be proud that the Bougainville question had moved from armed conflict to peaceful political and constitutional dialogue over the past 25 years.
The Prime Minister urged the nation to pray for Parliament and the leaders of both Papua New Guinea and Bougainville to be guided by wisdom and maturity.
He also reminded citizens that the relationship between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville would continue regardless of Parliament’s eventual decision.
“We share history, families, Churches, culture, economic relationships and the same Melanesian neighbourhood,” Mr Marape said.
The Prime Minister’s message for tomorrow’s National Day of Prayer and Repentance is therefore centred on prayer, repentance, reconciliation, peace and national unity, as Papua New Guinea prepares to enter one of the most consequential constitutional moments in its history.
He urged all Papua New Guineans, regardless of where they live or their political views, to use tomorrow as a day to come together in prayer and seek God’s wisdom for the nation and its leaders.