Churches willing to hold peace talks

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
CHURCHES have offered to facilitate peace talks between the two warring factions to resolve the political impasse.
And the church groups urge Sir Michael Somare and Peter O’Neill to put aside their differences and consider the interests and well-being of the people.
The representatives are from the Assemblies of God, United church, True Church of Jesus Christ, Anglican, Catholic and the evangelical and Pentecostal denominations.  
Archbishop of Port Moresby Archdiocese John Ribat said it was important that both leaders strive to bring peace, understanding and respect and to lead in favour of God and man.
“As leaders and Christian Melanesians you must unite as brothers and talk out the issues you have,’’ he said.
“I call on you to respond positively to this call because it is for the good of the nation.”
The clergymen expressed concern that the political situation had created confusion and misunderstanding among the people. 
They offered to sit in and talk with the two leaders if they responded positively to their call.
They said if there was no positive response to resolve the issue, Papua New Guinea could face a bleak festive season.
United church moderator Rev Samson Lowa said PNG had the right to a stable government and the church leaders were willing to facilitate a peaceful resolution. 
Contacts were made with Sir Michael and O’Neill on Wednesday about the churches’ offer but both leaders were yet to respond. 
They urged Sir Michael and O’Neill to “humbly come together as Melanesian brothers to resolve the issue”.