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