PM urged to work with churches

By HANNAH NERO
Catholic Bishop is urging the Government to make-good on its promises to create jobs and work with churches where the bulk of youth population is found.
Speaking during World Day of Social Justice, Bishop Justin Ain Soongie, the pastoral coordinator for the Diocese of Wabag and chairman of Caritas PNG, said: “On behalf of Caritas, I challenge the prime minister to work with the churches if he is serious about providing that opportunity because we have the bulk of the youths within the churches, not for social games alone, not for some gatherings alone for ‘formation’ so policies can be implemented to them in order.”
Soongie said this when asked what Caritas was doing in line with the prime minister’s call to provide second chance to school drop-outs, and job creation to address unemployment. On Dec 4, while talking about the national budget, Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill said: “Sometimes we get excited and make big announcements without realising what we have said. We promised to create one million jobs for our people by 2027; that is impossible.”
During World Day of Social Justice hosted at Catholic Bishops Conference in Port Moresby on Tuesday, Soongie said: “Marape has made a good call, but never by-pass the churches. Partner with them in a credible, meaningful way. We have the people but we lack the resources to implement, government has the resources, partner with the churches in a bigger way if we want to better the lives of youths and minimise crimes, drugs and other social problems like that.
“You say government does partner with churches, but that is all talk, we need to ‘walk the talk’.
“Caritas is the agency of the Catholic church and youth is one of their priorities because we address social issues in many different ways. If we talk about social issues, that is where the youths are caught up.
“So I appeal to the prime minister and also to the members of parliament, work along with churches in your respective districts and electorates if you are serious about addressing youth problems in our country.”