Alotau riots have Catholics marching for peace

MEMBERS of the Catholic Church in Alotau marched on Saturday in a campaign for peace in the wake of recent riots in the town.
Parishioners turned up at the Alotau festival grounds for the Jesus March for Peace to show their solidarity with the people of Alotau and Milne Bay.
Bishop of Alotau-Sideia Rolando Santos expressed the church’s sympathy for families affected by the riots and condemned the violence. “We condemn the violence and loss of lives and properties. We share the pain and suffering of the victims and pray for them,” he said.
“We long for peace and are ready to join them and do what we can to contribute to the advent of peace in our beautiful Alotau and restore the good reputation we used to enjoy as one of the more peaceful provinces in the country.”
Bishop Rolando thanked the government and security forces for restoring order and normalcy.
He urged residents to respect the law, respect human rights and respect life.
He reminded people that peace was an ideal they should work towards. He said peace in the province could only be achieved if there was change.
“Peace cannot be attained unless the welfare of each and every man in Alotau or Milne Bay is safeguarded.”