The governor of the Papua New Guinea Island of Bougainville, former priest, John Momis, has backed the bishops in their stand against priests who put their names forward for political office.
Five priests, will contest this year's election, in direct opposition to Catholic Church law which states that Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.
Mr Momis who was ordained as a priest in 1970 and entered parliament two years later with the express permission of church leaders in Bougainville, and approval from Rome, says there's nothing wrong with priests entering politics as long as they get permission.
"In my time, the law was and still is the same. It is not permissible for priests to enter active politics except with the permission of the local ordinary"
John Momis now Governor of Bougainville.
