The Anglican Church is defending its decision to hold its General Synod in Fiji, saying it is actively encouraging a return to a duly elected parliament.
Archbishop David Moxon, and Bishops Brown Turei and Winston Halapua say the church is trying to keep open the lines of communication with the present Fijian administration.
Archbishop Moxon says all issues considered at the Synod, including Fiji governance, will be given the same kind of respect and honour that was shown when Synod members were welcomed on Friday.
He said the Synod will encourage and pray for the journey, that is underway, to free elections and democratic governance in Fiji.
Strict guidelines from the Fijian military regime meant permits had to be obtained to hold the synod, which will run from 7th to 12th July at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi. 160 senior church members, from New Zealand and elsewhere in the Pacific, are attending it .
The General Synod is the main forum for discussion and decision making in the Anglican Church and it meets every two years. It has not visited Polynesia since 1990.
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, is a constitutionally autonomous member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia encompasses the area described by its title. The 1992 Constitution of this Church provides for three partners to order their affairs within their own cultural context. Within Aotearoa New Zealand, Tikanga Pakeha comprises seven Dioceses, Tikanga Maori comprises five Hui Amorangi, the boundaries of which differ from those of the dioceses. Tikanga Pasefika encompasses Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, and is known as the Diocese of Polynesia.
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News category: Asia Pacific.
