GRAND Chief Sir Paulias Matane maintains that Papua New Guinea is a Christian country under the Constitution.
Sir Paulias made the declaration yesterday at a one-day human rights symposium at the Divine Word University in Madang.
He said this fact should not be overlooked in the country’s decision-making processes.
But he said many Papua New Guineans were still living un-Christian lives which was evident in the current trend of social disorder.
Rape, murder and incest were some of those acts that went against Christian principles, he said.
Sir Paulias, who was the guest speaker at the symposium, said human rights would not have been an issue if people remained committed to the Christian faith, of which the Ten Commandments formed the core ethics.
“If man does not listen to God, then he does not acknowledge God,” he said.
Sir Paulias said much had been said about human rights issues therefore it was best to seek solutions in avenues such as the symposium.
Former chief justice and Madang regional MP Sir Arnold Amet and the recently-appointed Ombudsman Commissioner Rigo Lua also spoke at the symposium.
The event was hosted by the university’s social and religious studies department of the arts faculty and supported by the Global Travel Centre, Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program and the DWU president’s office.
Pacific Flash /The National