This is a Golden Opportunity between the Church and the Government. Don't misuse it!
4 Aug 11 - Ministry of Information
Military spokesman, Colonel Neumi Leweni, today urged the Methodist Church in Fiji to use the opportunity given to it by Government in the best way possible so as not to jeopardize future meetings.
Col Leweni said the approval for the Church to meet over three days is not a relaxation of vigilance on the part of Government.
“The Church was initially given 24 hours to convene its annual conference. These 24 hours are now being spread over three days, but the actual meeting times should not exceed 24 hours,” Col Leweni explained.
“This effectively means that the meetings will be restricted to eight hours over the three days, and not more,” he said.
Col Leweni said Government is being considerate of the elderly members of the Church. However, he stressed that Government will continue to scrutinize the activities of the Church to ensure that it focuses on its rightful role of developing the spiritual foundation of its members and not to engage in politics.
“One of the reasons Government stopped the Church’s annual meetings was because the Church leadership had involved itself so much into politics.”
“The leadership was so engrossed with politics that it lost its path. We all know the consequences of the influence of the Church in the way the past Government was managed.”
“This Government will not allow that influence to be repeated,” Col Leweni said.
“Government is also very concerned about the apparent opposition of the Church against the Peoples’ Charter and the Roadmap to Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development, which are Government’s answer to a truly united, modern and peaceful nation.”
“The way forward for the Church is to align itself to the Charter and the Roadmap because they are aimed at providing a lasting solution to Fiji’s socio-political and economic problems which have plagued the nation in the years between 1987 and 2006.”
Col Leweni said the Church also needs to recognize the involvement of the Military in Government especially in charting a way towards peaceful co-existence of all the different races in the country.
“The Church still finds it difficult to accept that the Military has a major role to play in terms of ensuring peace and stability for all people in the country, irrespective of their ethnicity.”
“The Government and the Military vision is absolutely clear – everyone must all work towards peaceful co-existence. The Church is no exception.”
“And now that Government has allowed the annual conference to be held over three days, the Church leadership has a responsibility to ensure that this privilege is not misused,” Col Leweni said.
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4 Aug 11 - Ministry of Information
Military spokesman, Colonel Neumi Leweni, today urged the Methodist Church in Fiji to use the opportunity given to it by Government in the best way possible so as not to jeopardize future meetings.
Col Leweni said the approval for the Church to meet over three days is not a relaxation of vigilance on the part of Government.
“The Church was initially given 24 hours to convene its annual conference. These 24 hours are now being spread over three days, but the actual meeting times should not exceed 24 hours,” Col Leweni explained.
“This effectively means that the meetings will be restricted to eight hours over the three days, and not more,” he said.
Col Leweni said Government is being considerate of the elderly members of the Church. However, he stressed that Government will continue to scrutinize the activities of the Church to ensure that it focuses on its rightful role of developing the spiritual foundation of its members and not to engage in politics.
“One of the reasons Government stopped the Church’s annual meetings was because the Church leadership had involved itself so much into politics.”
“The leadership was so engrossed with politics that it lost its path. We all know the consequences of the influence of the Church in the way the past Government was managed.”
“This Government will not allow that influence to be repeated,” Col Leweni said.
“Government is also very concerned about the apparent opposition of the Church against the Peoples’ Charter and the Roadmap to Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development, which are Government’s answer to a truly united, modern and peaceful nation.”
“The way forward for the Church is to align itself to the Charter and the Roadmap because they are aimed at providing a lasting solution to Fiji’s socio-political and economic problems which have plagued the nation in the years between 1987 and 2006.”
Col Leweni said the Church also needs to recognize the involvement of the Military in Government especially in charting a way towards peaceful co-existence of all the different races in the country.
“The Church still finds it difficult to accept that the Military has a major role to play in terms of ensuring peace and stability for all people in the country, irrespective of their ethnicity.”
“The Government and the Military vision is absolutely clear – everyone must all work towards peaceful co-existence. The Church is no exception.”
“And now that Government has allowed the annual conference to be held over three days, the Church leadership has a responsibility to ensure that this privilege is not misused,” Col Leweni said.
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