11,000 members expected to gather

Print this page Email this page More than eleven thousand members of the Methodist Church Suva Circuit will crowd the Centenary Church next Saturday at the opening of the annual conference.Assistant general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said with the additional numbers from overseas, the church will not fit everyone.However, Reverend Nawadra is confident that their visitors from the United States and Australia will enjoy a wonderful fellowship in Fiji. There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen.Meanwhile, the members of the congregation in the US will open the conference with their songs and soli while members from Australia will close the conferenceThe Church has agreed with Government's decision not to hold meetings at Furnival Park in Toorak.

Churches must not burden people but seek to ease peoples burden

The Methodis church has to take responsibility for actions of it’s clergy and leaders for events pre-1987 up to now. it’s intimate involvement with nationalistic elements in the past has brought about the present situation. There was no outcry from the church in 1987 or 2000. Some of it’s leaders figured prominently in those two coups. Tomasi Kanailagi was not content with his salary as the church president but wanted to be a senator as well!
I’ve just returned from a three week trip to Fiji. The whole time I was there, the consistent comment from the methodists I spoke to was one of thanks that the conference was canceled. Why? Because the conference had evolved into something so expensive and extravagant that the common people continue to be burdened with the financial obligations.
Reverend Tuwere is right. Cancel the conference and give the people time to recover. it is also time for the church to streamline it’s operations and practice sound fiscal management, so it can get out of and stay out of debt, so it doesn’t continue to be a burden on it’s membership.
Churches are not supposed to burden people, they’re supposed to be a means through which people’s burdens can be eased.
kosakosa

On Target for the Rewa conference

The pig is only fooling himself that he has a mandate to rule and delay elections for the next 5 years. The facts as we know them point otherwise. How long will this mentally deranged terrorist remain on top? How long can he deny the people of Fiji their right to be ruled by the people of their own choice? How long can he deny the unlawful actions that have perpetuated his rule? Not long if we take recent happenings into account.
Despite the announcement yesterday by bugler turned head poncho for the pig’s propaganda unit.....ahh.... Leweni threatening Methodist Minister’s against attending the Standing Committee meeting due to there being no license for such a meeting, it went ahead anyway. And despite the threat of arrest for those Ministers attending the meeting, the Methodist Ministers have well and truly called the pig’s bluff. That comes as no surprise; all this has happened before- remember the pig’s hullaballoo against Rev Kanailagi after his preaching against the evil deeds of the regime in that evening service of 17 May?

The threat remains an empty threat. What is becoming plain is that this regime rules by bluff. Yes, the pig will grunt, dig with its heels, show its rotten teeth and holler. Then it puts its head down, turns the other way and run as fast as its smelly feet can carry it. What is certain is that the pig himself and his regime are now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Your move pig. So much for picking a fight with God!

Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi- A True Christian Soldier

With all the clamour generated by Frank’s propaganda machine against the Methodist Church and especially Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi it may well pay to revisit the facts of the May 2000 coup involving the ex President of the Methodist Church .

Rev Kanailagi is from the chiefly yavusa Nayaumunu of Viwa Bau. It was Ratu Namosimalua the then Roko Tui Viwa who welcomed Reverend Joseph Hunt to set up the Methodist mission on Viwa as Ratu Cakobau and Bau were still about there heathen ways. The Reverend is also a blood relative of Viwa high chief Ratu Varani the notorious but later staunch Christian convert who ‘bent his knee to Jehovah’ on Good Friday 1845.
Reverend Captain Kanailagi is most admired amongst the real RFMF soldiers as the Padre of the 1st Battalion’s second contingent (Batt 2) UNIFIL during the tough Palestinian Liberation Organisation’s era of 1978-80. This era is when the first Fijian’s underwent their baptism of fire and stamped the Fijian character in Middle East UN peacekeeping. He was tested under fire such as the firefight in Qana when Private Leitubadei was killed in action. Most unlike some in high military office today who are calling for his resignation.

His leadership during his presidency of the Methodist Church in the dark days of the 2000 coup is exemplary for the moral courage and physical fibre of the man. Here is the evidence from the Fiji Times of Tuesday 23rd May 2000, (page 15):

Methodists Stay Out
Methodist Church President Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi has dissociated the church from the events on Friday (19th May). Reverend Kanailagi visited the President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara at Government House on Sunday morning and the two held a prayer session together. He later visited the group held hostage at the parliamentary complex and then the captors. Reverend Kanailagi said the church had made known its stand on what happened on Friday and it did not want to meddle into the politics of it.

Wesleyans and all Christians stand up! For such a man of God in his twilight age who does not fear Frank and his guns. His strength is eternal! Praise the Lord!
With the Lotu and Vanua’s defiant stand on the Bose ko Viti being held in Rewa, let’s again revisit the facts of the May coup 2000 involving the ex President of the Methodist Church Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi.

Frank in his convoluted ‘non political’ mind spews his political venom accusing the Padre of being deviantly motivated and an agent of political instability.
Well here is published evidence in the Fiji Times of Thursday May 25th 2000 to the contrary:

Churches unit against crimes

The Fiji Council of Churches say it is against the unchristian act of those who seized members of the democratically elected government last Friday (19 May).
“We the Fiji Council of Churches stand together to oppose this very thoughtless crucifixion of democracy that has taken place” its chairman Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi said.
The Council expressed its sincere apologies to everyone affected by the rioting, looting and fires experienced last weekend.

It was an understatedly unchristian act that truly shocked us all”
The Council called on Christians to play their part in restoring order through little acts of love and kindness to all their neighbours.
“Let us look for the images of God in the faces around us and treat every individual with utmost love and respect in these trying times”. Reverend Kanailagi said.

Amen to that venerable Reverend! Stand up Wesleyans! And defend your faith against the great usuper of the state and church of our fore fathers! Come hell or high water!
Tebara sili wacala.

METHODIST CHURCH 101

How important is the Bose ko Viti or Annual Fiji Methodist Conference to Fijians, is it just the funds pledged or soli misinari ?Much as we like to believe in modern western democracy and one of its pillars-the separation of state politics and the church, in Fiji the separation is much more complex with the lewe ni lotu Waisele.
The nexus between the Methodist Church and Fijian Politics is part and partial of the doctrinal harmonizing of Lotu, Vanua kei na Matanitu that Wesleyan instructions created in 1838.
This is when the Wesleyan’s in Fiji under Reverend John Hunt formed the Bose ko Viti (Fiji Methodist Conference) after being recognized by the British Wesleyan Methodist Conference as large enough to do so.
In becoming a district of the British Wesleyan Methodist Conference, the Bose ko Viti was recognized internationally as a national identity. A first time ever such political recognition was given to the group of indigenous inhabitants of the Feejeean archipelago based on religion.
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From its inception the Bose ko Viti did not exist by itself but was fused with close collaboration with the Vanua and the Wesleyan Connexional Government that reinforced Kubuna hegemony over the other Matanitu’s of Burebasaga and Tovata especially after 1854 and Ratu Cakobau’s conversion to Christianity. More so the present three traditional Matanitus with the three Turaga Bale’s is a Wesleyan construct crafted by Rev Waterhouse to foster political unity of Viti by adopting a Fijian mindset. It was created mainly for the Fijians, symbolizing the British Wesleyan Methodism’s recognition of the Fijian’s independence and sovereignty over their islands.
Further, in the instruction to Missionaries published on 20 Feb 1825 as a guide to Wesleyans working overseas article 5 stipulates- Behaviour to Lawful Authority, as follows. ‘You know that the venerable WESLEY was always distinguished by love to his country, by his conscientious loyalty, and his attachment to that illustrious family that had filled the throne of Great Britain. You know that your Bretheren are actuated by the same principles, and walk by the same rule: and we have confidence in you that you will preserve the same character of religious regard to good order and submission “ to the powers that be”- in which we glory. Our motto is “FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING”. These provisions directed the Wesleyans to strengthen the Turaga Bale’s authority and unity. This motto now adorns our national coat of arms. (Late Rev Dr. T Baleiwaga’s thesis ANU 2003).
That the Methodist Church is opposed to the present illegal regime is not surprising Understand Fiji Methodist History then you can Understand Fijian Politics.
J Baledrokadroka
ANU

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s message to the Methodist

Our Methodists should take a defiant leaf out of the heroic fight of Archbishop Tutu who told an equally defiant South African crowd against apartheid:
“We will be free!”, “All of us!”, “Black and white together!” and finished his speech saying:
“We are the rainbow people of God! We are unstoppable! Nobody can stop us on our march to victory! No one, no guns, nothing! Nothing will stop us, for we are moving to freedom! We are moving to freedom and nobody can stop us! For God is on our side!”

Military regime starts to crack up against Methodist defiance

Fiji’s military regime have had their first taste of peaceful defiance by the Methodist Church today – and they obviously didn’t like it.
We’re not talking about the military boys and girls but Frank Bainimarama, his senior military and police officers and his very few supporters.
Radio network Communications Fiji today filed this report:
“The government and the military have stressed that the Methodist Church of Fiji executives need to have a permit to have the church standing committee meeting today.
Permanent Secretary for Information and Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni said the standing committee cannot just meet without an approval to decide on their next step after the cancellation of the Church Conference.
Fijivillage has received confirmation that the church standing committee meeting has already started.
Meanwhile, Police Director Operations Waisea Tabakau said they are aware of the meeting and are taking the necessary steps.”
Later this afternoon, there were talks that members of the Methodist Church standing committee were going to be arrested for purpotedly breaking the public emergency regulation as suggested by Leweni.
It never happened!
So why didn’t the regime move in?
Sources confirmed that the regime was advised against it with a warning that arrests of the Methodist Church standing committee will be a fatal mistake.
The committee ended their meeting peacefully and guess what, Fiji’s military regime couldn’t do anything about it.
Leweni’s cowardly statement achieved nothing except to show to the world how Frank & Co.’s scare tactics are not having its desired effect on the Fijian masses.
Frank & Co. are ruling by bluff for far too long and it is the Methodist Church who can and will topple them with their peaceful defiance.
Watch!

Methodist Church will go ahead with their conference

It has been revealed today that Fiji’s largest religious group, the Methodist Church, will go ahead with its annual conference scheduled for August.
Sources confirm receiving the same response from all the ordained priests they spoke to.
The Methodist Church, believed to have around 300,000 followers in Fiji, are currently in a month long fast and prayer after it’s military regime slapped a ban on their annual conference meet planned to take place in Rewa.
This latest defiance from the Methodist Church against Frank Bainimarama’s junta is something that will determine Fiji’s destiny in the coming years.
Most christians in Fiji believe that the junta will sucuumb soon. There are even talks that Frank & Co. will seek assistance from the church as prophesied by Steven Penny in 1997.
We can also confirm that press statements announcing the Methodist Church defiance to go ahead with their annual conference was blocked off by the regime censors preventing its dissemination via the mainstream media.

CHURCH STAND

CHURCH STAND
The Stand of the Methodist Church

The propaganda by the illegal tin pot dictator Bainimarama’s junta is so pervasive nowadays; that the mainstream news media are now spewing forth only information that the junta would like people to see, read and hear. Like Goebbel’s propaganda machine in Nazi Germany, those who hold and express opposing views are being hunted down and dealt with by the Military ‘SS’ and Police Commissioner Teleni’s ‘Gestapo’ units.
The detainment of Rev Lasaro a few weeks ago is a case in point. The Christian Citizenship role of the Methodist Church is to ensure ethical conduct in national governance in accordance with Christian principles. In pursuance of such divine calling, early missionaries of the Church have been instrumental, since arriving in Fiji in 1835, in taking such a stand. Even now, despite grave risks and threats, Ministers of the Church have stuck solidly to their moral high ground. Tin pot dictator Bainimarama is accusing the Methodist Church of being political. His illegal government has already announced that it will not allow the Church’s 2009 Rewa Conference to take place. While the Church and its congregation are now fasting and praying for divine guidance, it is expected that in the next few weeks, the Church will announce its stance on the Bainimarama junta’s directive concerning the conference. We have finally been able to obtain a copy of the stance of the Church which we reproduce hereunder.
We are of the view that Fiji has had enough of the insanity and the lies; we thank the Church for being true to its divine calling, in standing up to courageously point out to Bainimarama and his illegal regime the errors of its ways. Instead of impoverishing the people and dragging down the nation to its ruin, Bainimarama and his junta should heed the Church’s call for the restoration of basic freedoms and peoples’ dignity, and take the nation back to elections so the people may speak and elect those who will lead them towards a better life than what this illegal regime has given them.

Hereunder is the stand of the Methodist Church:
Methodist Church in Fiji & Rotuma
Stand of the Church Concerning the Current Political Situation


Since the abrogation of the Constitution and the reappointment of the Bainimarama regime by the President on 10 April 2009 following the Appeals Court ruling declaring invalid the Fiji high court decision supporting the President’s action in making valid the appointment of the Bainimarama interim government in January 2009, Fiji has gone through a potentially explosive crisis with suspension of basic rights and freedom, censorship of the press and a dramatic increase in poverty adding to increasing dependency and the greater impoverishment of a larger number of people.

The Church is charged with the responsibility to educate and instill Christian values and those of good citizenship among our people especially our children. In the light of existing circumstances, we are beginning to ask ourselves:

What have our children to learn when they see the illegal actions and misconduct of our national leaders?

What kind of role model are our government leaders of today offering our children and the world?

Can we expect better leaders of our children tomorrow, if our leaders act contrary to the law and the Constitution, and disrespect the basic rights of the people?

The Church must uphold God’s truth and His concern for human dignity.

The Bible teaches that citizens are not obligated in conscience to follow the prescriptions of civil authorities if their actions, precepts and policies are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or to the teachings of the Gospel.

What is happening in Fiji today points to the State having lost its moral authority to govern, having become tyrannical against the people it is supposed to serve.

The Church, the Pacific Forum Leaders, the Commonwealth and the United Nations have made numerous offers and opportunities for negotiation and reconciliation which have all been spurned by the Bainimarama regime.

In our Christian tradition, we recognize that we have all sinned and fallen short of the grace and goodness of God.

If the people including the leaders of Fiji are able, with humility and honesty, to recognize our weaknesses, ask God for forgiveness and turn from our ways, there can be true forgiveness, reconciliation and healing.

Therefore, in the interest of alleviating the poverty and suffering of the people, support for the rule of law, peace, justice, good governance and integrity, it is imperative that the Church sends out a prophetic message at this critical juncture in Fiji.

The Methodist Church therefore calls on the head of state Ratu Josefa Iloilo, the interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and the interim government to:

Reinstate the Constitution and comply with the rule of law as directed by the Appeals Court on Thursday 09 April 2009
Return the country to democratic elections under the 1997 Constitution, and under foreign, independent supervision, not later than December 2009
Protect all the rights of its citizens as stipulated under the 1997 Constitution, especially from arbitrary arrest, harassment, torture and inhumane treatment
Reinstate the law courts and ensure an independent judiciary.
Ensure that any changes to the electoral system are democratic, constitutional, participatory, and inclusive and accounts for the interests of all individuals and ethnic groups complying with the UN Convention on the Declaration of Human Rights as well the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ensure that the Charter is considered and acted upon in line with the provisions of the 1997 Constitution.
Ensure the operation of a free and independent media
Set up an independent truth and reconciliation commission towards national forgiveness, reconciliation and healing.
Fasting and praying for the Nation is observed Fiji-wide to ask for divine intervention towards the return of democracy, rule of law, basic freedoms and basic rights and good governance in our nation.
That plans for resources be drawn up, made available and executed at the respective Divisions of the Church to assist the congregation, especially the needy, as well as appraise them on relevant social, political and economic issues, and that peaceful activities be undertaken to help move the nation to constitutional democracy and democratic governance.

Fiji regime stands firm on barring Methodist conference

The Fiji military led regime says it will not drop its demand that the Methodist Church cancel its annual conference in August.

At the weekend the interim Government announced the annual event could not go ahead, claiming some Church members had tried to destabilise the country.

Church officials had been hoping to change the Government’s stance but the interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has now met with the president of the Church, the Reverend Ame Tugaue, to explain that the decision would stand.

Commodore Bainimarama told Radio Tarana in Auckland the event has been postponed until next year.

“The decision is that we postpone the Methodist Church conference until next year. That is the final decision of the Government.”


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Fiji’s Methodist Church have what it takes to topple Frank Bainimarama’s stronghold

The Methodist Church with one voice has the capability to remove Baini-marama. All they need now is to believe in God, design a plan of attack, be confident and have a positive mental attitude.

The Methodist Church is the only organisation left in Fiji to topple the illegal government and dictatorship.

The Methodist Church must stand up and fight for freedom in Fiji. Members of the Methodist Church must stand together as one team and do this for the people of Fiji tomorrow.

For a start, the Methodist Church must stand together and have a peaceful march (sing hymns & choruses) through the streets of Suva right down to the President House, Government building or Albert Park.

Methodist church conference must continue, says majority

94% of the Methodist congregation want their church leaders to go ahead with their annual conference in August.

This is the result of the feedback from all the 53 districts under the Methodist Church Fiji wide constituency.

And that is what the Methodist church leaders must honor if they are to be taken seriously.

Their congregation have spoken and they must be seen to do what they’re purporting to promote – to respect their members freedom of choice, freedom to vote and freedom of speech, in defying the usurpers oppressive and discriminatory plan to ban their annual conference.

Methodist Church fasting ends today

Another month long fasting and praying by the oppressed Methodist Church of Fiji will end today.
According to our well placed sources, the Methodist Church elders have decided that their annual conference will still go ahead despite tyrant Frank Bainimarama’s assertions that the event is banned from ever happening.
This defiance by the Methodist Church is expected to be the catalyst for Frank & Co’s dependency on the church.
Sources say Methodist Church priests are ready to be martyred for the sake of upholding the truth.
Like always, Frank & Co’s camp will be rocked to the core in the next few days.
Past experiences with the Methodist Church month long fasting show that major unexpected things always happen in team Frank’s camp at the end of such fasting season.
Major reshuffling and many defining moments in Frank Bainimarama’s short-lived naked grab for power always make it to the fore at his kinda time.
It’s already happening at the FNPF.
Some are even predicting that heads will also roll at the cabinet level.
And all this on the eve of what is to be tyrant Frank Bainimarama’s announcement on his new cooked up illegitimate constitution.