The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga has alleged that 8 of its pastors have been misappropriating money.
As a result of an investigation by the church’s general auditor it is alleged that approximately $342,000 in church funds have been misappropriated.
One pastor from Eu’a, one from Vava’u and the others from Nuku’alofa remain with their parishes but on suspended duties. None of the ministers has accepted the allegations.
The Church’s Director, Reverend Dr Mohenoa Puloka, told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat program that as a result, none of its ministers will now be allowed to be involved in dealing with church money, but he agrees the damage has already been done.
“It will cause a lot of people to question the fitness and reliability of the clergy,” he said.
“It is bad publicity for the church.”
Puloka says despite “firm evidence” of their actions, the ministers involved say the discrepancy resulted from a computing error.
He says with at least one case dating back to 2005, it is so disappointing.
“Part of my reason for doing this now, is that part of it is that it’s my moral responsibility. Also to acknowledge the fact that we have to respect the people. It’s their money that were entrusted to these clergy and they were not doing a good job on that so we have to do that. Over all our years this is a big shakeup in the church.”
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