The Methodist Church of Fiji says that burning of traditional artefacts as a form of spiritual cleansing does not reflect the principles of the church. When The Fiji Times asked the church to comment on the practices, after claims that a pastor burned some traditional items the church referred them to a statements made by Read more
Addressing the causes of crime and violence in the Great Suva area by could be assisted by the greater involvement of faith based communities. This was one of the solutions offered by participants in Fiji’s first ever discussion on crime and violence Members of faith-based organisations and NGOs gathered in Pacific Harbour in Serua On Read more
Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai said Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron had more than a year, from early 2015, to prove to the Vatican he could improve his weak pastoral governance and unify the Catholic Church on Guam. But he failed to heed the calls, and the subsequent public allegations that Apuron sexually abused Agat altar Read more
Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians took to the streets last Friday to protest Jakarta’s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, an ethnic Chinese Christian. Police estimated their number at about 150,000, many having come from towns and cities across the island of Java. They chanted and carried banners demanding that Purnama be jailed. Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Lae in Morobe, Papua New Guinea celebrated its golden anniversary earlier this month. The historical celebration took place at St. Mary’s Primary School grounds. Various cultural representations were witnessed by thousands of faithful from the diocese, well-wishers from the region as well as visitors from outside PNG. The Apostolic Nuncio of Read more
The canonical trial of Archbishop Anthony Apuron started. “It’s been initiated, I know that much. The argument has been exchanged and now it’s kind of like in the second phase of investigation, examination,” said Archbishop Michael Byrnes, the newly appointed coadjutor bishop of Hagåtña (Guam) at a press conference on Monday afternoon. Byrnes, who arrived Read more
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong has denied accusations that churches have failed in their primary role and are burdening people with demands to build bigger and more beautiful churches. He says such accusations are not factual and needed validation. Ro Aca Mataitini, former Roko Tui Cakaudrove and now training officer with the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs, Read more
A proposed village bylaw in Fiji which is in draft form sets out a number of conditions to be fulfilled before a new church can be established in a village. The request must e submitted to the village head man and discussed by the bose vanua (meeting of elders). The teaching and beliefs of the Read more
The Fiji Council of Churches (FCC) is supporting the 16 Days of Activism campaign to raise awareness on violence against women and children. A total of 10823 cases of domestic violence have been reported to the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centres across the country from January to October this year. On Sunday churches marked “On Break Read more
“My first job is to listen,” said Archbishop Byrnes, the newly appoint coadjutor bishop of Archdiocese of Agãna (Guam). He added he also is aware that he will have to bring about “healing to those who said they have been abused.” “I have heard there are protests outside the cathedral with signs saying, ‘Defrock Apuron,’” Read more