You would have thought that a place like Fiji would be an absolute paradise. Not for Methodists.I'm wondering if it is time for the government of Fiji to have a co-ordinated silent vigil by the President of the Methodist Conference and colleagues wherever there is a Methodist Church and a Figian embassy or diplomatic mission.
Just read this for a flavour of what is happening:
Suppressed Methodist church in Fiji is receiving greater support from churches internationally, feeling “less alone”.
The world’s biggest ecumenical body - World Council of Churches (WCC) is the latest to come in support of the biggest Church in Fiji. The central committee meeting of WCC in Geneva from 26 September to 2 August had adopted a resolution giving full support to the plight of the Fiji’s indigenous Church.
“We expresses deep concern at the actions taken by the interim government of Fiji against the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma," stated the resolution.
The WCC also “urges the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma to seek opportunity to engage in dialogue with the interim government.”
After the elected Fiji government was overthrown by a bloodless military coup in December 2006, the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma protested against the illegality of the interim government and refused to take part in processes initiated by it concerning the future of Fiji. Since May 2009, the interim government banned the church from holding its annual conference, its annual choir festival and also arrested and charged nine Methodist ministers.
The Methodist Church, the biggest and most influential church in Fiji is inseparably linked to Fijian culture and society; over 80 percent indigenous Fijians are members of the Church.
The all-powerful Fiji Methodist Church which counts 329,759 members out of a little less than a million Fijians estimated populations.
WCC is also calling upon member churches to pray for the nation and people of Fiji, that a peaceful return to democracy and the rule of law, and a vibrant and peaceful multiracial and multi-faith community, will emerge as soon as possible.
On Thursday, the Methodist Church in Britain also called on the Government of Fiji to allow the Methodist Church to exercise its right to freedom of religion and play its part in developing a healthy and just society for all people, Christian Today reported.
Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said: “Things are becoming increasingly difficult for the Methodist Church in Fiji and I think there are real grounds for believing not only that the military Government is slowly crippling the Church, but that it is doing so intentionally
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2 comments:
I agree that what the Fiji Government did was wrong. But, do you have to resort to name calling in continuously spelling the name of the country Figi? Yes I checked, it is one of many incorrect spellings of this island country.
Whoops. I put it right, Thanks for pointing this out.
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