The Methodist Conference is on but...

from w
The Fiji media and blogs are busy with cautious tales of tomorrow's start to the Methodist Conference in Fiji that has been banned for a few years. It's hard to see why mild-mannered Methodists are treated differently from other Christian organisations in Fiji. The agenda is structured and barely even touches on social justice issues - it's mainly housekeeping matters, elections and receiving reports, and of course having tasty meals and yarning with friends you only see once a year.

From Fiji Village today:
Govt officials/Military to be part of conference
Publish date/time: 22/08/2011 [13:13]

Military and government officials will be part of the Methodist Church of Fiji conference as observers.

Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni said they want to ensure that the church follows the conditions set and deals with activities of the church and the spiritual development of its members.

Lieutenant Colonel Leweni said the military and the government hopes that the church members do not discuss political issues in the conference starting from tomorrow.

He also makes it clear that the church’s current President Reverend Ame Tugaue, General Secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu and executive Reverend Manasa Lasaro are not allowed to chair any of the meetings during the conference.

The Methodist Church conference will be held from tomorrow to Thursday at Suva’s Centenary Church.

The first item on the agenda tomorrow is the election of the new President and General Secretary.

Story by: Vijay Narayan

Congratulations Dilkusha

Congratulations to Dilkusha for winning the senior category of Tadra Kahani - the excellent song/dance/drama competition between Fiji schools.
from Fiji Village today:
Dilkusha Methodist High School win 2011 Tadra Kahani
Publish date/time: 19/08/2011 [08:01]

The Tadra Kahani with connect Junior and Senior division trophies have both gone to schools located along the Nasinu/Nausori corridor.

With their theme "Environmental Exploitation" and first timers to the dream story stage show, Dilkusha Methodist High School were crowned the new winners of the 2011 Tadra Kahani with Connect in the senior division last night.

Not only were they overall winners, Dilkusha Methodist High School also scooped the awards for the Best Concept Award, Best Set Design and Best Audience Response.

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Teacher Kavita Sharan said it was through dedication and perseverance that contributed to the win.

Lomary Secondary were the first runner up while Suva Grammar school was second runner up.

In the Junior division, Rishikul Primary School walked away as the new champion.

Class eight students Janette Kumar and Priyanka Nambiar said that they were shocked with the announcement.

Meanwhile, International School Suva were awarded the best design backdrop, Best Costume, hair and makeup, Best writing while choreography award was Saint Marcellin Primary, Best soundtrack award went to Saint Agnes Primary School.

Story by: Selina Navuso and Sofaia Koroitanoa

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Meanwhile down on the farm - Animal Farm perhaps - there are stirrings of stories in at least two of the blogs concerning the current Methodist Conference in Fiji - stirrings that the current Methodist leaders have been asked to step down, even before the meeting starts. Whether this is just a kitchen talk story or not I do not know. Only time will tell. Certainly the constitution of the church does not allow for 'live' people to step down!

Fiji govt requests church leaders stand down from conference next week

The Methodist Church of Fiji will hold a second meeting on Monday to discuss an apparent demand by the interim government that three church leaders stand down before next week’s annual church conference.

It’s the first annual Methodist Church gathering in three years following a ban imposed by Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s regime in 2009.

The deputy general secretary, Tevita Banivanua, says police phoned the church yesterday singling out the Reverend Ame Tugaue, the General Secretary the Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, and the Reverend Manasa Lasaro.

“What we have heard was that they will not be allowed to lead or chair the meeting. We have requested a letter that if this is the actual word of the Prime Minister, please put it down into writing because in our permit there is no such condition.”

Tevita Banivanua says the reason the police gave is that the three church leaders are facing court charges for having conducted a meeting which contravened the public emergency regulations.

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PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

---------and the Fiji media are running the story in various ways. This is the spin from Fiji Sun. Though the approach over recent years has been 'softly, softly', it seems that is still not enough.

Step down

writer : NANISE LOANAKADAVU

8/21/2011
Three top clerics of the Methodist Church in Fiji have been asked to step down from their roles in the church’s annual conference. A directive has been given to the church by the Government for the trio not to control the meetings.

The members include church president, Reverend Ame Tugawe, general secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu and Reverend Manasa Lasaro.

Military spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Neumi Leweni yesterday confirmed that the Government had instructed the church that the trio refrain from chairing the meetings which is expected to begin on Tuesday. He said they had been reliably informed that there were elements within the church that had planned to utilise the church conference to instigate instability.

“We only ask the church for them to step down and not been completely axed from the meeting,” Lieutenant-Colonel Leweni said.

Church assistant general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said they had no choice but to ensure that they went ahead with the conference. However, he said the fate of the three leaders would be known once the members were informed tomorrow. “We have accepted the directive from the Government and we are going to discuss this matter tomorrow,” he said. He said Reverends Tugawe, Waqairatu and Lasaro were still part of the meeting. “They have not been told not to be part of the meeting but step down from their roles in the meeting.”

The three were earlier charged with contravening the Public Emergency Regulation (PER) and the Public Order Act.

Reverend Lasaro allegedly attended the Methodist Church Standing Committee meeting at Epworth Hall in Suva on July 17, 2009, breaching the conditions of the approved permit.

Church assistant general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra assured Government that there would be no political interference. “We can assure Government that we will not use the church conference to discuss political matters,” Reverend Nawadra said.

Government last week raised its concern that the church would use the conference to instigate instability.

“I have also warned members that we will not entertain any political talk during our three- day meeting.”

The conference will be held at the Centenary Church in Suva from August 23-25.

Conference now three days

from w
Well, keeping a mild face on things, the Fiji Methodist Church leaders are now allowed to meet for more than one day.
From Fiji Sun
PM OKs 3-DAY CHURCH MEET

writer : LOSALINI RASOQOSOQO

8/3/2011
Government has given the green light for the Methodist Church in Fiji to hold its annual conference for more than a day. Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama approved the permit yesterday morning allowing the church to meet for three days later this month.

Previously, Government had only granted a day's permit for all church meetings including the monthly circuit meetings and quarterly meetings with the condition that no political issue is discussed at those meetings.

The Church's deputy secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra yesterday expressed their gratefulness for the decision.

He said what had transpired in the past between them (Government and church) had been a lesson for them.

He said this year’s conference was an opportunity for them to discuss their way forward.

“We are so thankful to Government for giving us the extended time where we plan to touch only on the main items selected which are required by our constitution,” Reverend Nawadra said.

“Part of our programme is to have forward thinking where we will try to have our strategy for the future.

“What has taken place has taught us some lessons and we want to see that as part of our discussions and how we can move on forward from here given the situation that we have just gone through,” he said.

Commodore Bainimarama had initially banned all church gatherings saying that the church was politically involved, especially their leaders. He also said that the church was rather a money making institution with the high amount of money levied to its members.

Reverend Nawadra said to have been allowed the meetings (including the extended time) is a bonus for them given the initial order that the conference should wait until 2014.

Only the choir and the soli competitions are still being banned.

“The whole meeting that used to be held is still not being entertained this year. We want to take one year at a time and it is part of our next year’s plan to seek approval,” Reverend Nawadra said.

He said a letter was sent to the PM requesting that the one day time that was allotted to them be extended to 24 hours.

The conference is schedule to take place from August 23-25 in Suva.

Fiji Methodist Conference

from w
So when is the Methodist Conference? And is it still for one day only - perhaps one minute past midnight to one minute to midnight? Control of possible (or past) dissent seems to be the motive for the ban on having a two week conference with time to meet friends, make resolutions, pray, install leaders, and welcome new ministers as well as enjoy the bazaar and choir competition. It is most unfair when other religious bodies can have parades, fund-raising, gatherings and conferences.

Haven't heard anything new since April so what's up?
From NZ media:
Posted at 23:29 on 26 April, 2011 UTC

The deputy general secretary of Fiji’s Methodist Church says the interim government’s allowing its annual conference to proceed this year - but only for one day. Reverend Tevita Banivanua says for the past two years the the regime has prohibited the gathering under the Public Emergency Regulations imposed in April 2009. He says while the church is grateful for permission to meet this August, it usually takes up to a week and a half to get through conference business. “This is tabled for the 55 divisions and each of them has to give an account from their perspective and to cut it down to one, to one-day meeting, is just not possible.”

Reverend Tevita Banivanua says the Public Emergency Regulations are the only remaining obstacle to the church being able to operate freely.

Fiji’s Attorney General says they won’t be lifted until local considerations have been addressed.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Ro Kepa's charges dropped

Almost a year and a half ago there was a to-do about the planning of the Methodist Conference for August 2009 and charges laid against several talatala and a high chief, the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi. Well, the charges against the high chief have been dropped.
from Fiji Village journalist writes:
Charges withdrawn against Kepa
Publish date/time: 08/09/2010 [17:02]
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has withdrawn the charge of conspiracy to disobey an unlawful command, faced by the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa. Official sources at the DPP's Office have confirmed that the charge was dropped on Monday.

Ro Teimumu had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge.

For the one count that Ro Teimumu was charged with, it was alleged that last year between July 12th and July 29th, Ro Teimumu conspired with Methodist Church Ministers to host the annual Methodist conference in Lomanikoro in Rewa even though a directive was given by the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama not to hold the conference.

She will not face any charges now in relation to this.

However it has been confirmed that the charges against the Methodist Church ministers and officials still stand.

Story by: Paradise Tabucala.

Conference scenes

from Peceli
I took some photos in Wailevu village as well as Naduri. The village Bakery in the picture can bake more then 300 buns or scones and bread. I also took some photos in St Mary hostel and where 170 guests from the Bau Division are staying and the people from Namuka are 300 men and women. Ratu Seniloli and Ratu Apenisa led the Vanua of Bau. The Namuka people are related as Tauvu to the Bau People so the relationship between them is comfortable. The Turaga na Tuinamuka is here in the Vakatunuloa to welcome all the visitors.Bishop Api and Father Petueli are the leaders from the Hostel.