LET CHURCHES BE FREE FROM COV-19 REGULATIONS
I write in response to the October 4th, 2021article, entitled “Manning bans mass gatherings.” I
commend the current government and the National Control Centre team headed by David
Manning for seriously combating this deadly pandemic. Looking at the general trend since 2019
December, Cov-19 takes thousands of lives than any diseases before. It is no joke and we must
take extra precautions and comply with decisions made by the Cov-19 response team.
While I agree with the actions taken by the concerned authorities regarding this Delta Corona
Variant, I am seeing a great mistake in the present authority’s decision that doesn’t go well with
our identity as a Christian country. We have taken one step into the sacred ground in making
rules that include churches which in my personal opinion is not appropriate.
The authorities may make decision in other public gatherings but not on church gatherings.
There is no prerogatives remaining for you to make rule similar to this line for it is a sacred
ground. It doesn’t mean that those who go to church won’t get Cov-19 but let us respect God
and let there be no more control from the controller or government affecting the church
worship.
We PNGEANs claim ourselves as Christian country. We know no other God except the one true
God of the Scripture. Our constitutions are derived from the sacred pages of His Word. We sing
our national anthem and include the name of our Most High God, acknowledging him as the
source of our goodness and freedom. We read from the Scripture before our Parliament
meetings begin. We know no other God save the Almighty God.
However, this Delta Corona Variant seems bigger than the God that we love, the faith that we
have in Him. Now we are limiting people to go to His house of prayer. Instead of worshiping
God, I fear our actions imply we are worshiping Cov-19.
If we look right into the Scripture microscopically the best strategies for any nation to combat
national disasters, wars or any crisis, it is drawing people closer to God by assembling them in
his house of prayer. God would often call his prophets to call upon the Kings, priests, Levites,
elders and all people to come to the house of the Lord. Book of Joel is a classic example for
natural plague of locusts and worms that wiped out all crops and plants in Israel. God instructed
Joel to “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly,” Joe 2:15 (ESV). If
we are looking for strategies to combat Cov-19, take this strategy – gather people in the house
of the Lord. It may sound fool but not one of PNGEANs will die because of Cov-19 in the Church.
Our beautiful PNG is a Christian nation and we should take the lead by rising God’s flag higher.
There was never a time in History of the church, the church was ordered to close except during
persecutions and war. I am a simple missionary, and I feel goose bump to close the church
door. I don’t have to deny that my God is bigger than Cov-19 and I know many sincere Christian
PNGEANs are in the same page.
Therefore, I kindly appeal on behalf of silent majorities, to our Cov-19 response team and the
Government to give freedom to church meetings. And never in the history of this nation make
rules and regulations or any decisions for church. God has his Word that governs the running of
the church and we should let her operate according to it. Let us never step into the holy
ground. Let church gatherings be normal.
By Sinias Ray
(Dogura Dobu Church, Missionary - Port Moresby)