British Methodists laud Fiji Church in face of government pressure

Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator of the Methodist Church in Britain, said its communications with the Church in Fiji were being monitored and that all Church activities and meetings were being “scrutinised” by government officials.

Nine Methodist Church leaders were back in court on Thursday to negotiate their bail conditions and seek greater religious freedom for their Church, although the outcome of the hearing is as yet unknown. Their trial has been set for November.

Among the leaders were the Church’s President, the Rev Ame Tugaue, and General Secretary, the Rev Tuikilakila Waqairatu, who appeared before the court last month pleading not guilty to breaching public emergency regulations by attending an unauthorised committee meeting. They were released on bail but prohibited from attending Church meetings or leading worship.

The Church has come under fire for its vocal criticism of the military government, which it believes is illegitimate because of the coup that brought it to power in 2006.

Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator, said: “Our communications with the Church in Fiji are being monitored and all Church activities and meetings are being scrutinised by government officials.

“This is intimidation and we applaud the Church in Fiji for its continuing attempts at dialogue rather than confrontation.

“The Methodist Church is the only faith group in Fiji to receive this treatment, but it remains committed to playing its necessary role in building a renewed and just society in Fiji.”

Around one third of Fiji’s population are members of the Methodist Church. It was forced to cancel its annual Conference and choir contest after the government arrested its leaders.