PNG cult leader absolved of sin

[moobu2]

AAP | Friday, 30 January 2009

The South Pacific's first native Anglican bishop, who ran off with a former nun and set up a cargo cult in Papua New Guinea, has been forgiven.
Pioneering Sir George Ambo served as PNG's Anglican Archbishop from 1983 and retired in 1989 but was excommunicated after shacking up in 2007 with a former Anglican mother superior, Sister Cora.
The pair founded the 'Puwo Gawe Ministry', in local language meaning "come see" after Cora claimed she saw spirits of dead relatives returning to their province with large quantities of goods.
Cora believed a new better world was coming where inequality, suffering, and death would stop.

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Cargo cults have existed ever since Papua New Guineans first encountered Westerners in the mid 19th century.

During World War 2 with Australian and American planes dropping goods all around, the Pacific villagers believed their ancestors were delivering them cargo.

PNG has seen many disturbing cargo cults that most often are led by former religious leaders who, like the jailed Steven Tari, known as 'Black Jesus,' con young vulnerable villagers into committing illegal acts.

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[xchrom]

1. fascinating. nt