Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) calls for day of prayer for Kanaky Referendum

by CWM Communications Team

Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) General Secretary Rev James Bhagwan has asked those in the Pacific to pray for Kanaky’s sovereignty and self-determination in his recent pastoral letter to member churches. Specifically, he called on churches in the Pacific to observe a day of prayer on 27 September for an honest, free and fair referendum in Kanaky (New Caledonia) and a second one on 4 October, the day of the referendum itself.

The referendum is based on the Nouméa Accord, signed in May 1998 by the French government, as part of a negotiated transition to independence. The agreement included ending New Caledonia’s status as a French overseas territory; electing new political institutions and transferring administrative powers; recognising Kanak culture and identity; and a further transition before a referendum on self-determination.

In seeking to contribute to making self-determination part of a new normal, Rev Bhagwan requested for them support in prayer Kanaky member churches, youths and other communities for the feasibility of building a multicultural nation outside the French constitution. During the 2018 PCC General Assembly, PCC had endorsed a statement of solidarity and call for prayer in the lead-up to the first referendum on independence from France for Kanaky.

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