No support for deported missionaries

THE Gutnius Lutheran Church does not want deported missionaries back in the country.
Head Bishop David Piso told The National in Mt Hagen on Saturday that six missionaries deported to the United States were not good missionaries because they did not follow church rules or respected the church.
He was speaking after Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas was asked by Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas in Parliament last week as to why the Lutheran
missionaries were prevented from returning by promising to bring them back.
“They came here many years ago, some of them were good missionaries, good in a sense that they worked very well with the church leadership in support of the constitution – the operating constitution of the church,” Piso said.
“What we did is that we deported them or told them to leave during the time of Rimbink Pato and the people there at Foreign Affairs and Immigration Department.
“We cannot allow them to come back to this same organisation, the Gutnius Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea.”
Piso said Pato, who was then minister for immigration, knew the background of the issue and Thomas should consult him.
He said things could be done to bring in new missionaries.
“We can work out something, we are not saying no to missionaries from America, what we are saying is that those who have been deported will not and must not and cannot be called back,” hesaid.
“What we have done is finished.
“We will not accept any deported missionaries.
“Sir Peter is a good governor but he shouldn’t put his nose in the church’s internal affairs.
“We have a church constitution that deals with the pastors through to the missionaries from overseas.”