Bishop says Lutheran church will staying neutral on Jerusalem issue

Faith

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG has taken a neutral position on the issue of the United States supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Church head Bishop Rev Jack Urame said the church was neutral on the issue.
“We are a part of the global Lutheran community,” he said.
“We will not support any one of the parties.
“However, we continue praying for them so that God will give them peace.”
On Dec 22, the United Nations general assembly voted 128-9 to reject US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The resolution is non-binding and therefore seen largely as symbolic.
Urame said Jerusalem was a historical place with spiritual significance.
He said the church focused on issues like genocide in West Papua, the death penalty, violence against women and girls, drug and alcohol abuse and same-sex marriage.
“Any negative forces that affect human life, the church deplores and raises concerns against them,” he said.
Urame said the church’s core role was to evangelise and promote peace, while at the same time upholding “human rights, dignity and values.”