Papua New Guinea's parliament has passed a constitutional amendment formally recognising Christianity as the state religion of the nation.
The change to the constitution last week witnessed an overwhelming majority of 80 votes in the national parliament in favour of recognising the faith, with four members against the motion.
The amendment introduces a declaration in the preamble of the constitution, stating: "(We) acknowledge and declare God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and Holy Spirit, as our creator and sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our powers and authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea."
In addition to the clause in the amendment, Christianity will now be reflected in the fifth goal of the constitution, and the bible will be recognised as a national symbol.
Papua New Guinea has previously remained a secular state despite the influence of multiple Christian branches, with traditional animism and ancestor worship often existing less openly as another layer underneath or more openly side by side with Christianity.
About 96 per cent of the nation's population identify themselves as members of a Christian church; however, many also combine their Christian beliefs with traditional Indigenous practices, which is described as religious syncretism.
Prime Minister James Marape, a vocal advocate for the latest amendment in the constitution, expressed a great deal of satisfaction with the outcome in parliament.
"I am happy," Mr Marape said. "This constitutional amendment finally recognises our country as a Christian country.
"This reflects, in the highest form, the role Christian churches have played in our development as a country."
Communities, churches, and civil society groups across the nation have been engaged in discussions with those inside the parliament, overwhelmingly endorsing widespread support for the change to the constitution.
Mr Marape emphasised the historical and ongoing contributions made by the Christian churches to Papua New Guinea's unity, a country that is divided by more than 800 co-existing languages.
"With so much diversity, languages, associated cultures, and tribal affiliations, no one can dispute the fact that the Christian churches have anchored our country's unity and togetherness," he said.
He also highlighted the role of churches in providing services in areas of development where government presence is limited.
Mr Marape also said the latest amendment does not infringe on the rights of individuals to practice other non-Christian religions including Islam and Hindu.
Section 45 of Papua New Guinea's Constitution, which protects freedom of conscience, thought, and religion, remains intact despite the latest changes.
The Catholic Church has a plurality of the nation's population after a recent census indicated 27 per cent, or more than one in four people, are solely devout Catholics.
Nearly half of Papua New Guineans follow one of the Protestant religions at 47.8 per cent
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea has almost 20 per cent of followers, but nearly 40 per cent who belong to the Protestant branch of Christianity.
Other leading churches in popularity include the United Church in Papua New Guinea (11.5 per cent), Seventh-day Adventist Church (10 per cent) and Pentecostal (8.5 per cent).
Christianity was first introduced into the New Guinean archipelago, ahead of full sovereignty and independence, when in 1847 Marist missionaries arrived on Woodwork Island, a coral island of the nation, to teach the word of the Lord.
But the faith, after multiple European missionaries attempted to convert more locals against traditional animist ways, did not fully integrate into society until the World War I years that coincided with Australia's annexation of the territory.
