23 Jan 2019

PNG bishop calls for more respect for land

From , 5:05 am on 23 January 2019

The Catholic Archbishop of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea says people need to use land in a respectful manner, consistent with the 'group ethic' of Melanesian society.

Francesco Panfilo was speaking after his diocese had returned land it owned to the general public, through a combination of gifts and sales.

The archbishop says one parcel which the church sold for $US10,000 dollars was quickly onsold to foreign buyers for $US200,000 dollars.

He says the church's land divestment was aimed at giving opportunities to local families and he told Don Wiseman the sales went against the ethos of Melanesian culture and Christianity.

Archbishop Francesco Panfilo

Archbishop Francesco Panfilo Photo: Archdiocese of Rabaul