Deported American Missionaries want investigation
The Americans are Julie Lutz, missionary since 1986, Anton Lutz, missionary since 2004 and Reverend Jeffery Horn, missionary since 2013. They are missionaries of the USA based Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), working in PNG since 1991 under a group called Concordia Lutheran Professional Mission Services (CLPMS).
In a press release by the Concordia Lutheran Professional Mission Services, they said they have not been served any notice of deportation, visa cancellation or related documents from the Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs. Nor have they been officially informed of the nature of the complaints or advised of the alleged breaches of PNG Laws. The missionaries said they have not been given the opportunity to respond.
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod has been working with the people of Enga since 1948 and many of the important institutions in Enga are part of their legacy as is the Gutnius Lutheran Church. The GLC became an independent church body from the LCMS in the 1970s.
Various community members and leaders in the Maramuni LLG and and the Yakumane community in Enga Province reported they were devastated to hear of this deportation report and queried why the Government of PNG wants Mr Lutz to halt his job when the government hasn’t brought the needed services in their area.
“There are still projects to be carried out in our remote area and why send the missionaries away? Who else will come and help us?” asked Councilor of Penale (Maramuni Ward 12), Mr James Tasaput.
Mr Anton Lutz noted that he was not speaking officially from his organization but agreed with Mr Tasaput and expressed sadness to the community he had been assigned to.
“We (missionaries) we will go back to the comforts of America but ‘Sori tru’ to the communities living along the Enga and Sepik borders who will miss our services and will not see the change they want to see.” Said Mr Lutz.
Mr Lutz said this while referring to his ministry of airstrip construction project and supplying medicine into the area, even helping sick patients travel out to major hospitals.
Mr Lutz studied theology at school but is now a jack of all trade who uses his various skills in mechanics and problem solving to help the hospital and wider community. His late father Dr Steve Lutz served in Enga as a missionary surgeon for more than twenty three years until his death. Anton came with his family in 1986 then returned in 2004 as a fulltime missionary.
Mr Lutz has been involved in HIV education and awareness, speaks about integrity and choice in schools and was also one of the people who stepped forward to help bury the body of murder victim late Kepari Leniata, accused of sorcery, who was brutally attacked and burnt alive.
As indicated in the National Newspaper, November 21, the missionary deportation saga follows a long dispute in the Gutnius Lutheran Church hierarchy between one time Head Bishop David Piso and his former Deputy Nickodemus Aiyane.
According to church pastors, the Supreme Court order of March 2014 upheld the National Court Order of 2010 which reinstated Mr Piso after concerned pastors excommunicated him, but does not necessarily mandate that Piso should stay in power for the rest of his life. The constitution of the church gives a bishop a four year term. Bishop Piso’s term of office expired in June 2014.
The GLC Constitution governs the Gutnius Lutheran Church and stipulates that the GLC must come together and hold a single conference at which the legitimate delegates vote in a free and fair way for the leaders of their choice.
According to media reports at the time, the church election was staged in late June 2014 but was marred by armed policemen who barricaded the area discouraging hundreds of pastors and delegates from the GLC’s congregations who may otherwise have voted against Mr Piso. The matter is before the National Court.
When asked, Mr Lutz said he was aware of the issue and that he maintained his neutrality in matters of politics. “I want to continue to help the remote and underprivileged people groups and Rev Horn wants to continue teaching the Word of God at Timothy Lutheran Seminary at Birip; we are not here to play politics.” He said.
Community representatives are frustrated that such church politics would result in the alleged deportation of the missionaries and hope the investigation team brings copies of all these alleged reports to the communities of Enga so that the truth will be known. PNG Today / Post Courier
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