We can confirm that the Suva City Council's department in charge of hiring out Sukuna Park cut off electricity in the middle of a sermon at the New Methodist Church Crusade last Friday because the preaching was loud and noisy. Coupfourpointfive has been told that Suva City Council staff refused to re-connect the power despite threats from the Church preachers.Sources say the SCC officer in charge of administering parks and properties told a security officer to turn down the volume of the speakers used for preaching as he could hear the loud noise almost 100 metres away. This was done twice but the preachers increased the volume to intolerable levels on both occasions. The security officer was then told to disconnect the power supply. All the officer had to do was to pull off a fuse that is in-built into the permanent podium at the park.
Sources say five angry New Methodist Church preachers barged into the office of the properties officer demanding that the electricity supply be restored. They told him that Sukuna Park and the electricity belonged to Jesus similar to Police Commissioner Esala Teleni's claim that the Holy Spirit speaks to him.
The preachers were told to test their own theory by the properties officer - that is to go back to Sukuna Park, throw the wires on the ground and tell Jesus to connect the power. The power supply was not restored, both by the Holy Spirit or the SCC.
Thanks Coupfourpointfive for this item. Photo: New Methodist Church youth march in Suva. Fiji Times.
My Comment
The New Methodist Church is a fundamentalist offshoot from the Methodist Church. Its founder and senior pastor is Atu Vulaono, brother of Police Commissioner Esala Teleni. The Police have used the church in an Anti-Crime Crusade, and it seems likely police who are not members of the church, including some who were not even Christian, have been browbeaten into attending parades addressed by church pastors. The church supports the Bainimarama Government. I am not sure how all the strands weave together but it could be that Bainimarama (an orthodox Methodist) needs Teleni's support in the Military Council and is happy to see the new church win members away from the Methodist church, with its anti-Government leadership.
My own view is that any perceived alliance between this (or any other) church or religious organization and Government will produce more opponents than it wins; and, more important, such an alliance flies in the face of the declared intentions of a government that says it wants a Fiji of racial and religious equality, and mutual respect.
Prime Minister, where do you stand? You cannot have it both ways. This is definitely an either/or situation.
2 comments:
These antics are making Fiji the laughing stock not only of the Pacific but of the entire 'Policing World'. The lack of Police professionalism, their inability to conceive of their professional role - nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus or crusaders. That was for Richard The Lionheart and the Knights Templar. Their role has to do with governance and ethical conduct and fighting crime in age-tested ways.
They need to set their sights on fighting violent crime with a 'No Drop Policy': fighting corruption and all manner of criminal behaviour surrounding corruption (including their own corrupted officers) protecting those who supply evidence of corruption and, ensuring that people on bail conform with the conditions of their bail. If they do not, ensuring that Bench Warrants are applied for and then 'hauling them in'. So simple really. Paid from public money, we expect them to get on with the job. And nothing else. Just watch "Walker Texas Ranger" daily on Mai TV. They ALWAYS 'get their man'!
Nothing good to share then to spoil a church..get a life!
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