Methodists’ new president says Fiji is a Christian state

The new President of the Methodist Church, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, says the church supports the idea of Fiji being a Christian state.

“Fiji was given to God,”  Waqairatu told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat.

“When we say that Fiji is a Christian state…we say it was decided by our chiefs who ceded Fiji to Great Britain that Fiji be a Christian country.

“When it was given to God, it has already established its covenant relationship with God, and that covenant relationship is eternal – it cannot be withdrawn.”

The party removed from power in 2006, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, was in favour of Fiji being declared a Christian state.

However, the interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his Government and other major Christian churches support the separation of church and state.

Vijendra Prakash, general secretary of Sanatan Dharam, one of Fiji’s main Hindu groups, told Radio Australia his members would prefer Fiji to be a secular state where religion does not mix with politics.

“Because this country is multicultural religion and a multilingual country, and we have been living so happily,” he said.

“All the religious organisations are given respect and rights and no one is given supremacy over another or try to undermine the others.”

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News category: Asia Pacific.

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