Rev: Faith in God behind my vaccine decision

PNG Council of Churches general-secretary Reverend Roger Joseph says he elected to get the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine because of his faith in God “who alone gives fullness of life”.
“I made a bold decision to receive my first vaccination shot on May,” he said.
“I believe that God has given us that exclusive power of choice to exercise our faith in Him, who alone gives fullness of life.”
He said fullness of life meant living in well informed, organised and mutual relationships with fellow men.
He urged Christians to create harmonious, conducive, healthy, organised, informed and resilient communities.
“In deciding to take the vaccine, I played my social obligation to help prevent the virus from spreading and growing within our communities,” he said.
“The Bible informs me (John 15:13) that the greatest love one can have for his friends is to lay down his life for them.”
Rev Joseph said this was an act of love one needed to take to create harmony in their own Christian journey as one tried to follow the steps of the Lord Jesus Christ during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is my prayer that you too will make a commitment to uphold your social obligation to serve the people in these unprecedented times,” he said.
United Church of PNG moderator Rev Bernard Siai encouraged people not to be scared of the vaccine or what was happening now.
He welcomed the vaccine when it arrived because he knew it would help people.
“The vaccine given to people should not be something that we fear but something to accept because it will help us.
“I believe God has blessed us, given wisdom to people to come up with the vaccine.
“I will go for it, I will also take my wife to take the vaccination,” he said.