Douglas Tomuriesa, Pope Francis and James Marape

 

Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said he is disappointed and embarrassed over the way His Holiness Pope Francis was treated by Prime Minister James Marape over the last three-days during the Papal visit, and the lack of courtesy and respect shown by the Prime Minister.

He said the Prime Minister continuously declares PNG as a ‘Christian country’ and prides himself on being a religious individual but he was surprised when the Pope was continuously snubbed by the PM over the weekend since the Pope’s arrival on Friday.

“The Pope is the head of the Catholic church, the largest Christian church in the world and he is also a head of state.

“PNG not only being a Christian country, but a country that prides itself as a ‘friend to all, enemy to none’, the PM should be according the Pope with the highest level of respect,” Tomuriesa said.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that on Friday, the Prime Minister did not welcome the Pope at the airport, a tradition he had accorded to many other world leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso had to step in.

“On Saturday, the Prime Minister again failed to attend the gathering at APEC Haus where I and many other Members of Parliament on both sides met the Pope.

“Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae had to step in on behalf of the State. Even Prime Ministers from our neighbouring Pacific Island countries were in attendance but not our own PM.

“And yesterday, the most disappointing display of all occurred when the PM missed his one-on-one meeting with the Pope at his residence in the morning.

“Per information reported, the organising committee said they were waiting for the PM to make his way but failed to turn up on time.

“As a result, the PM had an impromptu meeting with the Pope at the stadium after mass which is very inhospitable and shameful.

“If Indonesia, a majority Islamic nation, can set aside their religious differences to show respect to an important global leader, then I don’t know why our own PM can’t do the same.

“I know the Pope will not be bothered by this disrespect as he is a very forgiving and loving man, but as a Papua New Guinean, I am utterly ashamed and disappointed,” Tomuriesa said.