Man refuses compo for son’s death

A FATHER who forgave street mobs who nearly killed his son last month in Mt Hagen has refused to take a portion of the compensation payment, believing that “compo” is dirty for Christians.
Rodney Tenta, a member of the Voice of Yaweh Church (Reform Catholic) at Newtown, said he had done away with benefiting from shares of money and goods given in compensation payments.
Tenta, from the Jika-Milakamb clan and who lives at the Koglamp village, said his son James Rodney was hit with a sharp object by street mobs at Mt Hagen market when he was under the influence of liquor and they kicked betel nut and cigarette tables belonging to vendors.
“He collapsed on the spot and was taken to Mt Hagen General Hospital. Doctors operated and noted a crack in his skull. He could have died but was very lucky,” Tenta said.
“He was discharged on June 16. He cannot attended his grade 11 class at Togoba Secondary School.
“He is no longer normal but is recovering slowly. He is having … speech defect and error in judgement coordination.
“Some of the boys, who attacked my son, are from the Jika tribe living at Togoba. They gave six small pigs and K2500 as compensation.
“Our clansmen accepted the money and pigs but I got nothing. It is against Christian faith,” Tenta said.
He maintained that pastors continued to benefit from the proceeds of compensation, which was wrong.
“As Christians, we must stay away from dirty and filthy practices. We must live pure in God’s eyes,” he said.
“We must have love in our hearts. When we have love, we can forgive our enemies. Compensation defiles us.”
Tenta said that he did not hold any grudges against those who attacked his son, even if his son had died.
Tenta believes that only God had the power to do justice to those who hurt or killed others. He believes in forgiveness and natural justice.
Tenta said he was once a criminal in Mt Hagen.