(o-) Long and Well Respected NGO Asks Govt for "Leeway" for Methodist Church

This is where a wise government would heed wise counsel. Read it carefully.

Interim Government Must Provide Some Leeway to the Methodist Church

The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) calls on the Interim Government to provide some leeway to the Methodist Church of Fiji, in order for the organisation to effectively carry out its functions as a religious body.

“The crackdown on the Methodist Church by the Interim Government has been justified on the grounds of the support by senior Methodist Church ministers for ethno-nationalism and party-politics,” CCF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rev Akuila Yabaki said.

“However, the Methodist Ministers suspected of breaching the peace have been charged and need to respond to these allegations in court,” Rev Yabaki said. “Any further excessive interference in the Church’s activities by the Interim Government would be against fundamental rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion and Belief.”

“The Methodist Church has supported calls for dialogue, and the Interim Government must provide them the space to engage with their members so they can better contribute to taking the country forward,” Rev Yabaki said.

“CCF calls on the Methodist Church to provide adequate freedom and space within its own hierarchy to allow discussions internally on how to create a more inclusive leadership. The church needs to allow newer leaders to develop and provide them with opportunities to exercise gifts for the moderate responsible leadership required for dialogue,” Rev Yabaki said.

For further information, contact CCF on ph: 3308379 or fax: 3308380.www.ccf.org.fj