A delegation of Samoan Mormons from Brisbane have had a meeting with Samoan prime minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to discuss what the Brisbane Samoans say is a ban on Samoan in worship services by their church leaders.
Lawyer Leulua’iali’i Olinda Woodroffe who accompanied the delegation to the meeting said the prime minister has promised to write to the Elders in Brisbane and Utah.
One of the delegates, Anne Siakisina Hakula, said they were never told the reason for the ban directly.
“We only knew of the ban when one of the Elders was a guest at one of our festivities,” she said.
“There, the Elder gave a speech and at the end of it said ethnic languages will no longer be used in services without giving any reasons for the decision.”
“There were no talks or negotiations between the stakes and the Elders over the issue,” she said.
When they disputed the ban “they threatened to remove our names from the list of LDS members.”
The members then turned to the Human Rights Court and no more threats were issued.
Source
- Talamua online
- Image: Talamua online
