PM Urges Nation to Pray for Sick Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has urged the nation to pray for the good health of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and Lady Veronica who are in hospital.

He wrote on his social media page on Tuesday: “PNG, join me in a circle of prayers for our most senior couple, Lady Veronica Somare and Grand Chief Sir M T Somare.”

“To all the children and family members, your country folks are with you in thought and prayers.

“May the mercy of God Almighty care over the most senior couple of our country.” A statement from the family on Sunday said Sir Michael, 84, was in a “critical condition” suffering from pancreatic cancer.

He and Lady Veronica were supposed to go overseas this week for medical treatment but were advised against it by doctors because of his current condition.

A family member said: “It is with sadness that I advise on behalf of the Somare family the serious illness pancreatic cancer that has befallen our father Sir Michael.

“It is at a critical stage and we as a family along with his medical teams are giving him the utmost care that he deserves.”

On Tuesday, former Prime Minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan also extended his prayer of hope to his friend, saying “he is a determined, brave and visionary person”. He recalled how in the early days of nationhood they “ventured into the unknown taking a thousand tribes with them to form the united nation of Papua New Guinea”.

“We came 45 years ago, setting the foundation for stability, growth, advancement and education,” he said.

“We may sometimes be divided politically but always united. We in New Ireland will pray with your family and all well-wishers around PNG and the world.”

Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill also sent his best wishes to Sir Michael saying: “We are all saddened to hear that Sir Michael Somare is sick and we join our citizens throughout the country that he founded and offer our prayers to him and his family.

“Let us all respect the wishes of the family at this time.” The National

Cardinal Sir John Ribat at Sir Michael Somares’s bedside as Lady Veronica looks on at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.