Respect choices, leaders say

By ALPHONSE BARIASI
CHURCH leaders in the Southern region have agreed to support the Government’s move to vaccinate all eligible citizens but maintain that individual choice remains paramount and must be respected.
This stand was affirmed at a workshop on Wednesday which was attended by leaders and representatives from the mainline churches.
The first of four regional workshops, organised by the PNG Council of Churches and supported by international partners, including the World Health Organisation and the Australia PNG Partnership, was attended by leaders from the mainline churches from Western, Gulf, NCD, Central, Milne Bay and Northern.
Similar workshops will be conducted to educate church leaders on the safety and efficacy of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines, bring together church leaders to affirm their theological and biblical approach to vaccination.
The Southern church leaders gathering was held at Saroa Village in Rigo, Central.
Representatives from the Evangelical Alliance and the Body of Christ also attended to present their stance on vaccination.
While, in agreement with the Government’s pandemic control measures, some churchgoers are of the view that banning worship services or limiting the numbers attending them was contrary to exercising their faith in God.
World Health Organisation technical officer Dr Dessie Mekonnen presented to the church leaders some updated information on the pandemic from a global and local context and impressed upon them the country’s very low vaccination coverage in the region.
He stated vaccinations for the target groups of frontline workers, those 45 years-old and above and persons with pre-existing health conditions, remained critically low while community transmission and hesitancy fueled by misinformation, remained high.
A presentation on the role of the media in the pandemic and vaccination efforts was made by veteran broadcaster Lahui Lovai.
A couple of church leaders told the meeting that while it was proper for Christians to adhere to the Government’s directions in the pandemic, the church needed also to take its stand of faith.