Should the Churches in PNG be blamed for the poor attainment of MDG (and SDG) indicators? This post aims to address the question paused in this article by asking whether the churches in PNG have become passive in providing education and health services lately.
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Churches in PNG and Development
Number of churches’ educational and health set-ups (revealed in the table, ADRA Australia, 2015, p. 3) indicated that churches are equal development partners.Their network needs not only to be strengthened but also effectively funded.
This article, firstly, eliminates the opinion that churches must be blamed for PNG’s poor performances, in the last 15 years, to achieve MDGs indicators. In fact, the Church leaders identified the government’s funding as a major constraint (Aupong 2016).
The report also showed that the government’s budgetary allocation was reduced by more than half this year, 2016. Churches cannot shoulder any responsibility when they work in challenging conditions.
They must not be blamed when government budgetary allocation is either cut or not released to them.
The government’s recognition of churches (RNZ October 7 2013) is one thing said; but a cordial partnership according to Bishop of the Diocese of Bougainville, Bernard Unabali, must be built on Christian moral (JOSEPH April 28, 2016).
The report also showed that the government’s budgetary allocation was reduced by more than half this year, 2016. Churches cannot shoulder any responsibility when they work in challenging conditions.
They must not be blamed when government budgetary allocation is either cut or not released to them.
The government’s recognition of churches (RNZ October 7 2013) is one thing said; but a cordial partnership according to Bishop of the Diocese of Bougainville, Bernard Unabali, must be built on Christian moral (JOSEPH April 28, 2016).
Secondly, the presentation emphasises the need for Govt of PNG to do a critical self-search as a partner. The PNGCPP case study identified government lack of consistent engagement with churches as one of the main constraints (ADRA Australia, 2015).
All in all, churches must not shoulder the blame for PNG not achieving millennium development goals and country indicators.
All in all, churches must not shoulder the blame for PNG not achieving millennium development goals and country indicators.
CHURCHES IN PNG AND THEIR AGENCIES KEY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
The seven mainstream churches and their development agencies in partnership with the government were mentioned by Volker Hauck, Angela Mandie-Filer and Joe Bolger (2005). And further discussed (by ADRA, 2015) in a case study titled Sustained Investment in Church Development Capacity.
Both research work, though 10 years apart, had reiterated the significance of reaching the rural population through a Church-State partnership.
Both research work, though 10 years apart, had reiterated the significance of reaching the rural population through a Church-State partnership.
The PNG Churches Partnership Program (PNG CPP) established in 2004 by Australia and PNG governments seek to involve churches to deliver education, health and others social services to people in rural areas (ADRA, 2015).
Over ninety percent (Volker Hauck et al., 2005 p.11) of PNG’s population are Christians, eighty seven percent (ADRA, 2015, p.3) belong to the churches in PNG CPP. Many live in the rural areas.In fact, these churches are an important development partner as far as reaching the mass of the population is concerned.
For development to trickle down to the people, churches’ network must be utilised as ‘vehicle’ for goods and services delivery. Volker Hauck et al., (2005) acknowledged that churches are the main stakeholders.
Indicatively, churches prominence within the community is a vital link between the people and the government.
‘PNG society is largely religious and as such Christian churches are important social actors that play a significant role in the country’ (reiterated in ADRA, Australia, 2015, p. 3).
Indicatively, churches prominence within the community is a vital link between the people and the government.
Consistency and mutual engagement has to prevail amongst the partners like the
‘The Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Charles Abel says churches are a major provider of basic social services in PNG and the government recognises their role in improving the lives of Papua New Guineans’ (RNZ October 7 2013).
- PNG Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DoNPM),
- Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and
- Churches in PNG.
‘The Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Charles Abel says churches are a major provider of basic social services in PNG and the government recognises their role in improving the lives of Papua New Guineans’ (RNZ October 7 2013).
A recent policy framework called the Partnership Policy Framework between Government of PNG (GoPNG) and Christian Churches in PNG was written to include churches in formulation and execution of future development agendas.
Its purpose is two-fold: to work together to achieve integral human development and to create an ongoing partnership to advance development in the country (Department of National Planning and Monitoring, [DoNPM], 2016, p. 2).
Past reports have indicated that the GoPNG has either cut funding or delayed budgetary allocation in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and is inconsistent in engaging with churches in PNG and the donor partners.
Its purpose is two-fold: to work together to achieve integral human development and to create an ongoing partnership to advance development in the country (Department of National Planning and Monitoring, [DoNPM], 2016, p. 2).
Past reports have indicated that the GoPNG has either cut funding or delayed budgetary allocation in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and is inconsistent in engaging with churches in PNG and the donor partners.
CONCLUSION
Ministerial statements and policy guides would only be rewarding if they are complemented with action.
It is vital for all parties (the PNG govt, churches and donor partners) to sustain the work of churches. Involve the churches. Bring them into the picture when social developments are concerned.
It is vital for all parties (the PNG govt, churches and donor partners) to sustain the work of churches. Involve the churches. Bring them into the picture when social developments are concerned.
REFERENCES
Adventist
Development and Relief Agency [ADRA], Australia. Papua New Guinea: A Case
Study of Sustained Investment in Church Development Capacity. Case Study,
Wahroonga NSW: ADRA, 2015, 6.
Aupong, Serah. Funding Challenges for PNG Church-State
Partnership Program. TV News, Port Moresby: National EMTV News, 2016.
CatNews New Zealand. February 9, 2016.
http://cathnews.co.nz/2016/02/09/church-health-services-in-png-struggle-on-alone/
(accessed July 18, 2016).
DoNPM. Partnership Policy Framework between Government
of Papua New Guinea and the Christian churches in Papua New Guinea.
Policy Framework, Port Moresby: Department of National Planning and
Monitoring, 2016, 12.
JOSEPH, MORKANA. Government-church partnership program
to cease. News, Port Moresby: Post Courier, April 28, 2016.
Peter, Sea. Incentive fund helps PNG. News, Port
Moresby: Post Courier, Mar 12, 2010.
RNZ. PNG announces church-state partnership programme.
News, Wellington: Radio New Zealand - Pacific, October 7 2013.
Taru, Benstead. PNG can't do without churches: MP.
News, Port Moresby: Post Courier, Oct 12, 2012.
Volker Hauck, Angela Mandie-Filer and Joe Bolger. Ringing
the church bell: The role of churches in governance and public performance in
Papua New Guinea. Discussion Paper, Maastricht: The European Centre for
Development Policy Management (ECDPM), 2005, 39.
Yakham, Henzy. Good news for PNG churches. News,
Port Moresby: Post Courier, Jan 25, 2012.
Lutheran Church in PNG Urged to Build University with Govt Support
