CPS PNG calls for a take back control before it’s too late.

Port Moresby: In a time when the cries of the voiceless echo through the corners of Papua New Guinea, the Catholic Professionals Society (CPS PNG) has stepped forward with a powerful plea; ‘to hold accountable those who have been entrusted with power, yet have chosen corruption over conscience’.

Picture: Mr Ralph Saulep during the press conference.

Following the strong call by Port Moresby’s Archbishop, His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC, for state institutions to “arrest corrupt Members of Parliament”—a message that recently made headlines in the Post-Courier—the Catholic Professionals Society has held a press conference on April 3rd, 2025, at the Catholic Bishops Conference Headquarters in Port Moresby to carry on his Grace’s Message.

It was a small step with ‘Hope’ for truth and justice in a nation gasping under what can be seen as a dictatorial leadership.

Standing at the forefront was Mr. Paul Harricknen, President of CPS PNG, who has long been a fierce advocate for justice from within the Church’s professional community. His words were not just a call, but a cry from the heart of a citizen tired of seeing the country's laws being bent, broken, and brushed aside by those in power for their own gain.

“We as educated and informed citizens are concerned at the alarming increase in cases of abuse of legal and administrative processes that are now undermining and threatening our democracy,” Mr. Harricknen declared. “We have a moral duty to speak up for the majority who are voiceless. These voiceless majority elected the politicians—putting all their trust in them to promote peace, freedom, justice and deliver services. And yet, they have been failed.”

By his side stood Mr. Ralph Saulep, a long serving Catholic lawyer (25 years) and a member of the CPS PNG, who echoed the urgency of the message.

“CPS PNG is a society committed to voicing the concerns of the silent majority,” he affirmed with confidence and Hope.

Without holding back, Mr. Saulep highlighted the cracks in the foundation of the nation’s governance.

“In a democratic state, having independence in the three arms of government is critical,” he said. “But when one of these arms gains too much power, it creates an imbalance”.

He also pointed out that true democracy can only thrive when institutions are “vibrant, transparent, and accountable”. “When the government starts to break the laws, it weakens the institutions and everybody suffers.”

Among the deeply concerning issues raised was the proposed name change of the country—from ‘The Independent State of Papua New Guinea’ to The Independent Christian State of Papua New Guinea. For many, this change now represents exclusion, division, and a step away from the constitutional intentions of the nation’s Forefathers.

“The word ‘Christian’ now excludes any other person who is not a Christian,” Mr. Saulep emphasized. “Even if you don’t have a faith at all, you’re also excluded. And I know, when the forefathers wrote the Constitution, that’s not what they intended.”

With that, Mr. Saulep brought into the spot light a very important question as-well; one aimed directly to the constitutional tempering individuals: “What is it that is wrong with the current title that you feel the need to change it?”

As the press conference drew to a close, the message from the Catholic Professionals Society was unwavering—a call to the people of Papua New Guinea, to rise, to speak, and to stand for what is right and just.

And with that, the their call still echoes: Will the people rise, or will silence allow the nation’s spirit to be stolen in plain sight?