Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji Methodist Church urged not to misuse tribal mana

Posted at 01:47 on 27 July, 2009 UTC

A leading chief from the province of Rewa is urging the Methodist Church and political parties in Fiji to stop using tribal mana or Vanua to advance their own agendas.

Ro Epeli Mataitini has issued the statement following the arrest of his Paramount Chief, Ro Teimumu Kepa last week.

She has been charged with defying the public emergency regulations after she agreed to allow the Methodist Church to hold its annual conference in Rewa next month, despite the interim government’s decision to ban the event.

Ro Epeli Mataitini, who is an advisor and is responsible for the security of the Paramount Chief, says the church and political leaders have dragged her into the fray in an attempt to change the government’s stand on the conference.

He says the primary responsibility of the clergy is to bring spiritual enlightenment to its congregation, not to be involved in political machinations.