Suppressed Methodist church in Fiji if receiving greater support from churches internationally, feeling "less alone".
The world's biggest ecumenical body - World Council of Churches (WCC) is the latest to come in support of the biggest Church in Fiji. The central committee meeting of WCC in Geneva from 26 September to 2 August had adopted a resolution giving full support to the plight of the Fiji's indigenous Church.
"We expresses deep concern at the actions taken by the interim government of Fiji against the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma," stated the resolution.
The WCC also "urges the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma to seek opportunity to engage in dialogue with the interim government."
After the elected Fiji government was overthrown by a bloodless military coup in December 2006, the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma protested against the illegality of the interim government and refused to take part in processes initiated by it concerning the future of Fiji. Since May 2009, the interim government banned the church from holding its annual conference, its annual choir festival and also arrested and charged nine Methodist ministers.
The Methodist Church, the biggest and most influential church in Fiji is inseparably linked to Fijian culture and society; over 80 percent indigenous Fijians are members of the Church.
The all-powerful Fiji Methodist Church which counts 329,759 members out of a little less than a million Fijians estimated populations.
WCC is also calling upon member churches to pray for the nation and people of Fiji, that a peaceful return to democracy and the rule of law, and a vibrant and peaceful multiracial and multi-faith community, will emerge as soon as possible.
On Thursday, the Methodist Church in Britain also called on the Government of Fiji to allow the Methodist Church to exercise its right to freedom of religion and play its part in developing a healthy and just society for all people, Christian Today reported.
Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said: "Things are becoming increasingly difficult for the Methodist Church in Fiji and I think there are real grounds for believing not only that the military Government is slowly crippling the Church, but that it is doing so intentionally.
"The UK has a long-standing and fruitful relationship with Fiji and we are keen for it to continue. We are blessed to have many Fijian members in the Methodist Church in Britain and value their contribution to the life of our Church.
"Our prayer is that the beautiful islands of Fiji may soon see free and fair democracy, freedom of speech and independent justice."
The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Rev Ame Tugaue, the General Secretary, Rev Tuikilakila Waqairatu and seven other church leaders appeared in court on August 12 to enter a plea of 'not guilty' to charges of attending an unauthorised committee meeting. They have been ordered to report to the court again on September 24 and a trial is set for November.
Fiji's Methodist Church says it welcomes support from the World Council of Churches. Reverend Tevita Banivanua, deputy general secretary of the Fiji Methodist Church, says the WCC's resolution reminds them they are not alone.
"One of the basic things that anyone in our position would feel is that of loneliness, like in the wilderness of some type," he told Radio Australia on Friday.
"But when the World Council of Churches comes and shows its support for one, we are very grateful that there are people understanding our situation."
Commodore Frank Bainimarama heads an interim administration that, despite strong international objections, has since ruled out democratic elections before 2014.
Commodore Bainimarama says he plans to stamp out official corruption and enhance the rights of Fiji's ethnic Indian minority before elections can be held.
An intolerance of dissent and widespread censorship of the media have led critics to describe Fiji's military strongman as a dictator.
The world's biggest ecumenical body - World Council of Churches (WCC) is the latest to come in support of the biggest Church in Fiji. The central committee meeting of WCC in Geneva from 26 September to 2 August had adopted a resolution giving full support to the plight of the Fiji's indigenous Church.
"We expresses deep concern at the actions taken by the interim government of Fiji against the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma," stated the resolution.
The WCC also "urges the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma to seek opportunity to engage in dialogue with the interim government."
After the elected Fiji government was overthrown by a bloodless military coup in December 2006, the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma protested against the illegality of the interim government and refused to take part in processes initiated by it concerning the future of Fiji. Since May 2009, the interim government banned the church from holding its annual conference, its annual choir festival and also arrested and charged nine Methodist ministers.
The Methodist Church, the biggest and most influential church in Fiji is inseparably linked to Fijian culture and society; over 80 percent indigenous Fijians are members of the Church.
The all-powerful Fiji Methodist Church which counts 329,759 members out of a little less than a million Fijians estimated populations.
WCC is also calling upon member churches to pray for the nation and people of Fiji, that a peaceful return to democracy and the rule of law, and a vibrant and peaceful multiracial and multi-faith community, will emerge as soon as possible.
On Thursday, the Methodist Church in Britain also called on the Government of Fiji to allow the Methodist Church to exercise its right to freedom of religion and play its part in developing a healthy and just society for all people, Christian Today reported.
Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said: "Things are becoming increasingly difficult for the Methodist Church in Fiji and I think there are real grounds for believing not only that the military Government is slowly crippling the Church, but that it is doing so intentionally.
"The UK has a long-standing and fruitful relationship with Fiji and we are keen for it to continue. We are blessed to have many Fijian members in the Methodist Church in Britain and value their contribution to the life of our Church.
"Our prayer is that the beautiful islands of Fiji may soon see free and fair democracy, freedom of speech and independent justice."
The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Rev Ame Tugaue, the General Secretary, Rev Tuikilakila Waqairatu and seven other church leaders appeared in court on August 12 to enter a plea of 'not guilty' to charges of attending an unauthorised committee meeting. They have been ordered to report to the court again on September 24 and a trial is set for November.
Fiji's Methodist Church says it welcomes support from the World Council of Churches. Reverend Tevita Banivanua, deputy general secretary of the Fiji Methodist Church, says the WCC's resolution reminds them they are not alone.
"One of the basic things that anyone in our position would feel is that of loneliness, like in the wilderness of some type," he told Radio Australia on Friday.
"But when the World Council of Churches comes and shows its support for one, we are very grateful that there are people understanding our situation."
Commodore Frank Bainimarama heads an interim administration that, despite strong international objections, has since ruled out democratic elections before 2014.
Commodore Bainimarama says he plans to stamp out official corruption and enhance the rights of Fiji's ethnic Indian minority before elections can be held.
An intolerance of dissent and widespread censorship of the media have led critics to describe Fiji's military strongman as a dictator.
