Prime Minister, James Marape has emphasized the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with Christian churches as moral advocates and community partners, while upholding constitutional freedoms of belief, as Papua New Guinea advances its national Reset agenda during the country’s 50th Anniversary year.
The Prime Minister on Tuesday this week met with leaders of the PNG Council of Churches, the Body of Christ, and the Evangelical Alliance, who encouraged Government to maintain a strong focus on national reflection, reform, and renewal during the Jubilee year.
Related article on: https://info.gov.pg/pm-marape-calls-for-national-reset-tied-in-faith-forgiveness-and-progress-as-png-enters-its-jubilee-year/
“They reminded us that after 49 years, the 50th year is a time to pause, reflect, and reset,” Prime Minister Marape said, noting the biblical foundation drawn from Leviticus 25, which speaks of the Jubilee as a moment for restoration, responsibility, and renewal:
“Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.” — Leviticus 25:10.
Prime Minister Marape said the churches affirmed their role as partners in promoting morality, good governance, and social cohesion, while respecting the separation between church leadership and government authority.
“The Government will never tell the church what to do,” he said in a statement.
“At the same time, we value the church’s independent voice as a moral compass for our nation.”
He reiterated that while Papua New Guinea is constitutionally defined as a Christian country, Section 43 of the Constitution protects the freedom of every individual to practice their religion without coercion.
“This is fully consistent with a Christian worldview,” the Prime Minister said. “Faith must never be enforced. Belief is a personal choice.”
Prime Minister Marape said churches would play an expanded and clearly defined role in national development, particularly in education, health, and community-based programmes, including:
• Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) participation
• Labour mobility programmes to Australia and other destinations
• Second-chance and continuing education initiatives
• Community health and social services
“As part of the Reset, we will clarify the roles of churches and support them appropriately, without influencing their doctrine or independence,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the Government would also use the Reset to clearly define the responsibilities of public institutions and constitutional offices to ensure they work complementarily, including agencies such as ICAC, the Ombudsman Commission, and the Police.
Prime Minister Marape said he specifically challenged church leaders to emphasize family leadership, particularly the role of fathers, as a foundation for national renewal.
“The Bible is clear in Leviticus 25 that the Jubilee reset begins with families returning to their land and responsibilities,” he said. “Fathers must lead their households.
Our National Anthem speaks of ‘O arise all you sons’. That call is even more relevant today.”
He said the Reset must start at the family and community level, linked to land ownership and productive use of customary land.
“Most Papua New Guineans, apart from a small number of multi-generation urban residents, still have access to land,” the Prime Minister said. “From that land, families can build livelihoods, businesses, and futures.”
Prime Minister Marape said while Government would continue to fight to strengthen the public service, expand infrastructure, support education, and secure better outcomes for PNG, citizens also had a responsibility to act.
“Government policies such as SME support, labour mobility, and second-chance education are not abstract ideas,” he said. “They are tools for families, communities, churches, districts, and provinces to use together.”
As PNG’s 50th Anniversary year concludes on 15 September 2026, the Prime Minister said the Reset framework would be finalized to guide the nation confidently into its 51st year and beyond.
“If families stay together, communities work through their churches, and leaders at all levels play their part, we can move our country forward — together,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Consistent with the principle of Leviticus Chapter 25, we will also be looking at our prisoners in this 50th year. As part of the 50th reset, pardons will be considered for those who have demonstrated good conduct and have served the majority of their sentences. The release of qualified prisoners will take place as part of this 50th-year initiative.”