“He explained to us of the new ‘national identity and unity pillar’, which will replace the old one, will be based on the Word of God, the Constitution, the National Pledge and the Covenant.”

Mr Zurenouc told the church leaders that the purpose was “to restore, reform and modernise parliament”.

The truth is that what the Speaker and his cronies accomplished was an act of wanton vandalism.

At the time, Dr Andrew Moutu, director of the National Museum and Art Gallery, called the actions ordered by the Speaker “heinous sacrilege.”

Dr Moutu said that, amongst other artefacts destroyed, were carved anthromorphic human faces that represented images from various parts of PNG and a grand totem within parliament.

“Culture and history provide the soul and heart of any nation and to desecrate cultural symbols in this manner is to subject our national identity to an alien self-image,” Dr Moutu said.

Among many other voices to speak out against the destruction was senior Minister Puka Temu who said many MPs believed there was no alternative but for Mr Zurenuoc to stand down voluntarily or be sacked. Unfortunately this did not happen.

"It's nonsense,” Dr Temu said. “It's very disappointing and it undermines the culture and traditions of our country upon which many of us have existed for hundreds and thousands of years."

Dr Temu said he was disappointed Mr Zurenuoc did not ask for support of the parliament before destroying the carvings.

"I can vouch that all of us would have rejected the request from the Speaker," he said.

"This innocent things that our ancestors have developed over the years in PNG and for one leader, so called head of legislature to take such unilateral action, unbelievable."

He said Mr Zurenuoc's actions were "unforgivable" and reflected "polarised Christian views (which) do not represent the entire PNG society".

And now, with the vandalism done but the replacement ‘unity pillar’ still not in place, the Speaker is trying to schmooze his way out of his darkest hour.

He can be assured that many people have not forgotten his role in this attack on the revered culture of Papua New Guinean.

Let’s hope the church leaders weren’t convinced by the blatant attempt to justify an act of wanton destruction of PNG’s heritage.