Fellow Papua New Guineans,
As we commemorate Easter in this 49th year since our country’s independence, I ask each and every one of us to pause and reflect on the life, sacrifice, and message of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Easter is a sacred reminder of the road to Calvary—a journey Christ took not for Himself, but for the salvation of all mankind. Though He was the Creator and King of the universe, He chose to be born in humility, live a simple life, and walk a lonely road to the Cross for the redemption of our sins. His life and death embody the true heart of leadership: selflessness, love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Today, in a time when our nation stands at a crossroads—divided too often by political toxicity, personal differences, and economic challenges—we must return to those same Christian principles. Christ’s example teaches us to be tolerant, forgiving, loving, and inclusive. These values are not outdated; they are timeless. They are what make us truly human and truly Papua New Guinean.
This Easter, I call on our people to reject division and embrace unity. Our nation needs:
• Unity more than division
• Progress more than regression
• Forgiveness more than hatred
• Hope more than hostility
As we mark this final Easter before our 50th Independence Anniversary, let us come together in a spirit of oneness—caring for each other, carrying one another’s burdens, and collectively carrying the cross of our country. This is not rocket science. This is not impossible. It simply requires a shift in attitude, a return to the heart.
Let me remind us that in Leviticus 25, the Bible declares the 50th year as a Year of Jubilee— a sacred time of reset, restoration, forgiveness, and freedom. According to Scripture, it is a time when debts are forgiven, captives are released, land is returned, and lives are given a fresh start.
Our national 50th year officially begins on 16 September 2025 and ends on 15 September 2026. During this sacred season, the Government will lead a national reset—whether in public service reform, provincial governance, or in our wider effort to take back PNG economically, fight corruption, and restore law and order.
But let me be clear: while government policy can drive institutional reform, the real reset must begin in the heart, mind, and soul of our people.
If all citizens of this country commit to Christian character—being loving, forgiving, hardworking, inclusive, and respectful—we will not just serve ourselves better; we will serve God better, and in doing so, we will build a more united, just, and prosperous Papua New Guinea.
That is the real reset: a reset of our national character—one that embraces Christian values without compromising our diverse cultures and Melanesian identity. By finding unity in our shared Christian foundations, we strengthen the national character that will carry us into the next 49 years with hope and purpose.
Let me also speak from the heart: If I wasn’t a Christian, I would not be the man I am today. Christianity has shaped my character to be a forgiving man. It has given me the ability to tolerate differing world views. It has helped me withstand extreme pressures without hate.
It has enabled me to look at someone from another cultural group and say: “He or she is my own.”
It is this Christian teaching—deeply embedded in my life—that shapes my leadership and the kind of nation I want all of us to build.
We are all children of God, forgiven by Christ at the Cross of Calvary. And as He forgave us, we too must forgive others, even those who have wronged or offended us. That is how we build peace. That is how we move forward.
When President John F. Kennedy challenged America in 1961 to go to the moon, many doubted it was possible—but they achieved it. When he said in 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” he reminded us that nation-building starts with individual action.
So I say to all Papua New Guineans: let us stop waiting for handouts. Let us take responsibility, through our faith, attitudes, and actions, to be part of the reset we want to see.
Going to church every Sunday or Saturday is good —but it is not enough. The true Christian Walk must be lived daily, in our relationships, workplaces, politics, and service to others.
That is why the Bible sits in Parliament, and why Christianity is our official national religion— not to divide us, but to unite us around love, humility, and service.
In the wake of recent political events, including the vote of no confidence, I hold no bitterness. To those who opposed me, including those who questioned the presence of the Bible in our nation’s affairs, I say again: You knew not what you were doing, and I forgive you.
As Prime Minister, I lead not only those who support me, but all citizens across every district and province. I respect your views. And in this Easter season, as we prepare for Repentance Month and our Jubilee Year, I urge all of us: Let us forgive one another, tolerate each other, and live together in peace, unity, and love.
Because that is what the true Lord of our country—Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for all of us—would want each and every one of us to do.
Let this Easter be a time of spiritual renewal and national awakening. And as our nation steps into its 50th year, let it truly be a Year of Jubilee—a year of reset, restoration, and renewed commitment to Christian character and national unity.
God bless you all. God bless Papua New Guinea.
James Marape, MP
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea