Lutheran uni will open

 THE Evangelical Lutheran Church head Bishop Giegere Wenge is adamant the church will get its in-house issues sorted out and will see the realisation of the first Lutheran University in the near future.

Wenge, in a press conference with Morobe Governor Kelly Naru and Nawaeb MP Gisuwat Siniwin yesterday in Lae, admitted that differences at administrative level had delayed the project getting off the ground.

He said the Office of Higher Education had initially scheduled its opening last year but infighting had stalled the project.

“Like any other Christian churches and agencies in the country, we are responsible to train and provide education for the people,” Wenge said.

“I want to say the Lutheran university will be a Lutheran university, with the church administration, we have a different mindset with the council calling it ELC university and sometimes Lutheran university.  

That is the difference,” he said.

“Despite differences, the university project is progressing, we are preparing classrooms and dormitories and will open as soon as we can. 

“This will help our church and our nation just like the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Catholic Church who have educated and trained Papua New Guineans from other Christian denominations and other faith.”

According to Joseph Sukwianomb, a member of the Commission of Higher Education, the review of the legislation has been passed but not implemented as it has  not yet been certified by the Speaker of Parliament Theodore Zurenuoc as part of the minimum requirement of the OHE.

A former senior church official, speaking anonymously, said Wenge was at loggerheads with the ELC church council over the official name and ownership of the institution.