Is it constitutional to have a race-based division in an institution in Fiji? That is the question being asked after the Methodist Church in Fiji recently decided that it will continue to have an Indian Division in the church. Last year the superintendent of the Indian Division of the Church, Reverend Dr Immanuel Reuben, tabled Read more
Every once in a while, it’s good to step back and scan the horizon of contemporary culture. It’s beneficial on many levels to recognize what’s popular, and to honestly discern: How is a particular cultural phenomenon affecting the life of Christian believers? How can this phenomenon be “baptized” and used to help people of faith? Read more
A wet knot on a pair of sneakers is hard to untie – even harder when they’re on your feet. As the pastor of a multigenerational, multicultural, and multilingual (Spanish, Vietnamese, and English) parish, I at times feel responsible for untying a lot of wet knots. Farm workers from Central Mexico founded the parish where Read more
Churches must be ready to challenge village councils when leaders act unjustly says the Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong. He was speaking after a Justice and Development Commission Seminar entitled “Reading the Signs of the Times in Fiji – Catholic Social Teaching and Socio-Political Issues”. “There are times when the church will tell village Read more
Conservative Christians in America are enjoying fresh winds of political favor. In his first month in office, President Trump upheld his promise to nominate a conservative Supreme Court justice. Last week, his administration rescinded former guidelines allowing transgender students to use the public school bathrooms of their choice. And evangelical leaders report having direct access Read more
The question of Sunday church attendance has been raised in Fiji, in the course of a consultation about village by-laws which is taking place there. Responding suggestions some villagers have made for a village by-law stating that everyone living in villages should attend church every Sunday Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Naipote Katonitabua says no one Read more
ROME – Just as with department store windows in the United States, reminders in Rome that Christmas is coming seem to start popping up earlier and earlier ever year. Of course Italians don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but it’s worth pointing out that Turkey Day just happened and it feels like Christmas season is here. This week, Read more
Pope Francis has decried the obsession with perfect bodies, saying it leads society to hide the disabled to avoid offending the privileged. In a homily at a Mass at St Peter’s Square on Sunday for the Jubilee of the Sick and Disabled, the Pope called for mutual solidarity and acceptance. Francis criticised the modern “objections” Read more
A book by the educator and anthropologist Dame Joan Metge was launched at the University of Auckland last week. Tauira – a word that in te reo (the Maori language) illuminatingly means both student and teacher introduces readers to Māori methods of teaching and learning. Tauira is based on extensive interviews with 25 Maori people in Read more
A new cultural approach to teaching Pasifika families how to get out of debt and be smarter with their finances is about to be trialled at two Auckland churches. The financial literacy programmes which began in October are being delivered bi-lingually, taking into account cultural values and obligations that impact financial decisions for Pacific people. Read more