02 September 2009
Concern for Church following Fiji's expulsion from the Commonwealth
British Methodists have expressed solidarity with Methodists in
Fiji following the country's expulsion from the Commonwealth
yesterday.
The Methodist Church in Britain 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.
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.
"The UK has a long-standing and fruitful relationship with Fiji and
we are keen for it to continue. We are blessed to have many Fijian
members in the Methodist Church in Britain and value their
contribution to the life of our Church. Our prayer is that the
beautiful islands of Fiji may soon see free and fair democracy,
freedom of speech and independent justice."
The grave concern follows a number of restrictions made on the
Church by the Fijian Government over the past few days. The
Church's annual Conference was blocked, permission for the choir
festival was denied preventing one of the main fund-raising
activities of the year and speaking restrictions on the senior
leadership have frustrated the day-to-day business of the Church.
It has also been made clear that the activities of leading
Methodists are being monitored, creating an ongoing feeling of
unease.
The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Rev Ame Tugaue, the
General Secretary, Rev Tuikilakila Waqairatu and seven other church
leaders appeared in court on August 12 to enter a plea of 'not
guilty' to charges of attending an unauthorised committee meeting.
They have been ordered to report to the court again on September 24
and a trial is set for November.
Methodist and Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley Meg Munn recently
returned from an official visit to Fiji. She reported a great deal
of gloom about the prospects for an early return to democracy and
serious financial problems for the Church. As well as additional
costs for court and legal fees, the Church has lost around £330,000
income because of the cancelled Conference and choir
festival.
There are already problems relating to Methodist schools and the
ability to pay teachers. However, a fundraising campaign among
Fijians in the US and Australia is proving successful.
Steve added: "I encourage Methodists in Britain to consider raising
this issue with their MPs and their local media. People need to be
made aware that a national Methodist Church is being crippled by
its government. We can do many things to challenge it, what we
cannot do is nothing.
"The Methodist Church is by far the largest faith group in Fiji and
this may be the reason why other Churches have not been treated in
this way. It may also be that the aim is a very much smaller and
less influential Methodist Church."