Church: People have had enough

 THE Catholic Church has expressed concern over the current political developments in the country, and says the people have had enough.

Fr Giorgio Licini said that since independence almost 40 years ago, the country had been marred by poor governance and corruption.

“They have had enough of dubious payments, uncompleted projects, political consent, and votes captured every five years with unfulfilled promises,” he said in the latest issue of the Catholic Reporter PNG.

“Mr (Peter) O’Neill and colleagues always repeat the same refrain: judge us at the election in 2017. 

“But what if, by then, the country is financially, socially and morally bankrupt?

“Outgoing ministers and members of parliament are not going to pay a price for it, but the common people will suffer.”

Fr Licini, who heads the Communications office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomons Islands, said Papua New Guineans were yearning for a new beginning.

He said there was something missing in a democracy when constitutional changes became too easy and parliamentary opposition was almost nil.

It was fortunate, he said, that the judiciary appeared to be vibrant and independent.

Fr Licini also warned the Government and politicians not to blame the media when they proved to be the last bulwark of democracy.

“Who else is going to expose bad or wrong decisions when Parliament is an accomplice and the judiciary cannot acquire necessary proof?

“The dream for a clean and honest running of the public affairs is palpable among young people.

“There is a third post-independence generation of Papua New Guineans emerging after the Somares and the O’Neills.

“They want a more mature democratic process and a totally transparent management of public wealth and funds.

“They are preparing for it. Please, don’t stand in their way.”