Reconciliation is spiritual, take it seriously, says reverend

RECONCILIATION is a spiritual initiative that needs to be taken seriously as it was initiated by God, according to Rev Nakikus Bailey of the United church in Rabaul.
He made the remarks when he conducted a reconciliation ceremony for Malaguna 1 in the Balanataman local level government (LLG) with Matupit, Nordup and Matalau villages in the Kombiu LLG, Rabaul, in East New Britain.
The ceremony was held at the Kuragaga St Xavier Catholic church in Rabaul on Thursday and was witnessed by East New Britain Governor Nakikus Konga, provincial administrator Wilson Matava, senior provincial Magistrate Samuel Lavutul, ACP for the New Guinea Islands (NGI) region Chief Supt Paul Kamuai and police commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali.
Rev Bailey told the youths who were involved in the recent tribal fight that their actions caused business activities in Rabaul to close which had attracted the attention of leaders provincial leaders.
“The incident you (youths) created affected many mothers and their businesses which were closed for a few days,” he told them.
“Look at what you have caused, this reconciliation must come from your heart.”
Rev Bailey appealed to the youths to “reconcile, forgive each other and focus on positive things that would help and benefit them”.
“Fighting will not bring any good to you but it will bring destruction to you, your families and communities and you won’t prosper in life,” he said.
Malaguna one youths with the help of their parents and village leaders in exchange handed over two pigs and 50kg of rice.
The three communities with the assistance of PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum also did the same to Malaguna one and handed over 50 10kg bags of rice.
Jeremiah Newman, a youth from Malaguna one, apologised to the youths and people of Matupit, Matalau and Nordup.
“On behalf of my brothers, I say sorry for what we did,” he said.