Bullet of forgiveness, peace for prayers at UPNG undergraduate’s funeral
News that matters in Papua New Guinea
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| At Stenic’s haus krai (house cry). - Pic courtesy of Georgina Woti |
Bullet of forgiveness, peace for prayers at UPNG undergraduate’s funeral
PORT MORESBY: With the capture of the ward councillor shooter by police on Christmas Eve, University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) undergraduate Stenic Whome Poiya, 25, was laid to rest in peace last week.
Stenic was shot dead by the gun-toting ward councillor on Dec 14, 2019, and a “bullet of forgiveness, peace” was presented to a pastor for prayers.
The National has the details as published:
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Stenic’s nephew Phil (left), elder brother James (holding up Stenic’s picture) with another brother Michael. - Pic courtesy of The National
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Bullet of forgiveness, peace
By NATHAN WOTI
UPNG journalism studentA BULLET was handed over to a pastor to conduct prayers for the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) undergraduate who was shot dead by a ward councillor in Jiwaka on Dec 14.
The bullet was handed over to the pastor by Michael, an elder brother of Stenic Whome Poiya who was a UPNG tourism and hospitality final year student.
In handing over the bullet, Michael told the pastor: “I would like to dedicate this bullet that killed Stenic to the hands of God’s servant (pastor) to pray and bury it with the coffin.
“This symbolises that we are leaving everything to the hands of God, and for God to give us peace in this time of sorrow and mourning.”
Michael told The National: “When I first heard of his death, I refused to accept it.
“I wanted to take revenge for his life. I wanted to kill the ward councillor who shot him.
“That was first in my mind but I calmed down because I realised that forgiveness was the only way to move forward.”
Michael said death struck in mysterious ways and that was how Stenic was taken from his family
“I miss him, the family, schoolmates, district, province and country will miss him because we will never know what kind of person he would be after graduation,” he added.
The funeral prayer was witnessed by Stenic’s close friends and former schoolmates in Hagen Secondary and UPNG, the Onbi Kwipi and Depi tribes, neighbouring communities and, business and educated elites of Kindeng Onbi.
James, another elder brother of Stenic who is Onbi Kwipi tribe councillor ended his tribute to his 25-year-old brother stressing that he did not want any more violence to come out of the death. “I want to make it clear that I will not be part of any other problems that may arise relating to this death,” he added.
James urge all his tribes men not to use the death to start arguments or fights with the family of the ward councillor who allegedly shot dead Stenic.
“I appeal to all not to use my brother’s death as an excuse to resort to force or violence to fuel unrest,” he said. Stenic’s casket arrived in his village in Anglimb’s Kindeng on Wednesday morning for prayers, final viewing and burial. At about 3am on Christmas Eve, Jiwaka police were forced to burn down a house after the ward councillor, suspected of killing Stenic, refused to surrender after several warnings.
The gun-toting councillor had at about 8pm on Dec 14 fired at least three shots at a thief who burglarised his store.
Instead, one bullet hit Stenic who was walking home from Kindeng Market with four friends.
Stenic was holidaying in his village prior to his graduation in April.
UPNG journalism studentA BULLET was handed over to a pastor to conduct prayers for the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) undergraduate who was shot dead by a ward councillor in Jiwaka on Dec 14.
The bullet was handed over to the pastor by Michael, an elder brother of Stenic Whome Poiya who was a UPNG tourism and hospitality final year student.
In handing over the bullet, Michael told the pastor: “I would like to dedicate this bullet that killed Stenic to the hands of God’s servant (pastor) to pray and bury it with the coffin.
“This symbolises that we are leaving everything to the hands of God, and for God to give us peace in this time of sorrow and mourning.”
Michael told The National: “When I first heard of his death, I refused to accept it.
“I wanted to take revenge for his life. I wanted to kill the ward councillor who shot him.
“That was first in my mind but I calmed down because I realised that forgiveness was the only way to move forward.”
Michael said death struck in mysterious ways and that was how Stenic was taken from his family
“I miss him, the family, schoolmates, district, province and country will miss him because we will never know what kind of person he would be after graduation,” he added.
The funeral prayer was witnessed by Stenic’s close friends and former schoolmates in Hagen Secondary and UPNG, the Onbi Kwipi and Depi tribes, neighbouring communities and, business and educated elites of Kindeng Onbi.
James, another elder brother of Stenic who is Onbi Kwipi tribe councillor ended his tribute to his 25-year-old brother stressing that he did not want any more violence to come out of the death. “I want to make it clear that I will not be part of any other problems that may arise relating to this death,” he added.
James urge all his tribes men not to use the death to start arguments or fights with the family of the ward councillor who allegedly shot dead Stenic.
“I appeal to all not to use my brother’s death as an excuse to resort to force or violence to fuel unrest,” he said. Stenic’s casket arrived in his village in Anglimb’s Kindeng on Wednesday morning for prayers, final viewing and burial. At about 3am on Christmas Eve, Jiwaka police were forced to burn down a house after the ward councillor, suspected of killing Stenic, refused to surrender after several warnings.
The gun-toting councillor had at about 8pm on Dec 14 fired at least three shots at a thief who burglarised his store.
Instead, one bullet hit Stenic who was walking home from Kindeng Market with four friends.
Stenic was holidaying in his village prior to his graduation in April.
James is a good and wise leader.. I salute you Council James Poiye.. For making those decision.. God will bless you in your future days to come..
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