The archbishop of Suva says he does not intend to inform Catholics who they should vote for or vote against.

In a posting on the Archdiocese of Suva's Facebook page, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the Church's role is to help Catholics form their consciences (mind) in accordance with God's truth.

He said that during the month of October, they will use the Sunday Homilies to help people form their conscience and practise their political responsibility.

The Archbishop reminded people that Catholic social teaching teaches that "A fundamental moral measure of any economy is how the poor and vulnerable are faring."

He noted that poverty remains a significant concern in Fiji, despite the overall level of development and the moderately high average incomes.

Trends indicate that the national incidence of poverty declined from 35% in 2002-2003 to 31% in 2008-2009.

But the reduction in poverty was uneven—urban areas saw a reduction from 28% to 19%, while poverty in rural areas increased from 40% in 2002-2003 to 43% in 2008-2009.

Chong also noted that, in 2006, Fiji introduced a regressive taxation system that makes the poor poorer and the rich richer.

"The current economic trend shows an increase in poverty and how the taxation system will make the poor poorer and the rich richer," he said.

"As Catholics, we are called to work for greater economic justice in the face of persistent poverty and growing income-gaps."

On the Archdiocese's Facebook page Chong provides an ethical framework for economic life as principles for reflection, criteria for judgment, directions for action and criteria for election.

He concluded by noting: "All of economic life should recognize the fact that we all are God's children and members of one human family, called to exercise a clear priority for poor."

Source

• facebook.com
• Image: facebook.com

Voreqe Bainimarama say they know they are being manipulated by people misusing the word of God.

He says some people are "falsely claiming that Christianity in Fiji is under threat when the power of the Christian message in our nation has never been stronger."

"Some of these people are sitting comfortably overseas while those who have been foolish enough to support their message of division and hate face the full force of the law in Fiji."

Bainimarama said he felt sorry for the local people who are now facing charges because they have been lied to and manipulated.

While he felt sorry for those who have been arrested he said he was unable to help them because the charges against them are very serious.

"Anyone who engages in seditious activity and tries to thwart the democratic will of the people will have to face the full brunt of the law."

"All I can do is plead with everyone not to follow any such people."

"Everyone must respect the laws of our country and the choice our people made at the election a year ago."

The Prime Minister said Fijians know that no part of the country can go it alone.

"They know it is the quickest way for everyone to become poor."

"No schools, no hospitals, no electricity, none of the benefits of modern life. And they know they are being manipulated by people who are misusing the word of God."

The Prime Minister was speaking at the micro and small business grant handover ceremony in Rakiraki on Wednesday.

Source

• fiji.gov.fj
• Image: Facebook

Nacuva was sworn in as the House of Representatives Speaker on Monday, June 5, 2006.

And while he had little time to serve, he has forgiven those involved in the events of December 5, 2006, leading the removal of the democratically-elected government.

"Beloved Fijians, this is the season for forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32)," Mr Nacuva told the Fiji Times.

In a public statement made this week, he explained that while the spirit of that Constitution "is still hovering over the waters", it was indeed the season to forgive.

"I hereby with a very clear conscience grant my personal forgiveness to those involved for neither upholding their personal integrity nor dependent on their god-given conscience but succumbed to unjustified external commands, orders, coercion and intimidation."

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times

Speaking in the iTaukei language, Tikoitoga said a lot of trying situations developed over the years but the military managed to pull through.

He said God was leading them all the way and brought them to where they were.

Last week Military Chief of Operations Lt. Col Amani Suliano confirmed that Tikoitoga has started visiting all the military camps in the country

"Last week he visited the Land force command unit, the logistics support unit, the engineers regiment and the Fiji Navy, this week he started yesterday at the Army camp in Nadi and today he is now in Lautoka".

Bainimarama, has stepped down from the post of Military commander so he can launch his political party and contest the elections he has promised for September.Source

• Fiji Times
• Fiji Broadcasting Corporation
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Fiji Broadcasting Corporation

Father Kevin Barr of ECREA said they had conducted awareness programs and workshops for their members on how they could make their voices heard.

He said workers had raised concerns because they believed that Fiji could not have peace without justice.

"Our main message today (Friday) is justice and peace," Father Barr said.

ECREA is a Non Government Organisation based in Suva, Fiji Islands. Founded in 1990 by the late Reverend Paula Niukula, with the aim to address the social, religious, economic and political issues that confront Fiji.

ECREA is guided by the principles of:

• Social Justice & Equity
• Integral Human Development
• Servant Leadership

Its website provides information about its programmes, resource centre and more.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• ECREA
• Image: WhoTalking

The submission has recommended a provision for a proposed draft Education Decree to be harmonised to recognise the international value of a parent's right to choose an education for their children.

The submission also recommended the recognition of the management of education institutions, which maintained their special character, in fostering respect for our diversity, and the development and sustainability of our democracy into the future.

Mataca said the mission of education was the integral formation of the human person.

It was much more than teaching children pure sciences, social sciences, mathematics, the English language and vernacular languages, he said.

"Education on values, diversity, tolerance and respect, justice, freedom and the rule of law are crucial."

"Our experiences of coups and social disruptions in the past 34 years indicated this need but also highlighted the lack of appreciation of the special character that cultures and religions contribute to the education of our people."

"In this regard, the government of the day must also recognise the special character of cultural and religious education institutions and the enormous benefits these have to strengthening a deeper appreciation of our diversity."

The Archbishop's submission also contained recommendations on land tenure, the role of the church in politics, and the environment.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times

Two years ago I wrote:

"Unlike the 1987 and 2000 coups which were carried out in the name of ‘indigenous Fijian rights', this coup was in the name of multiculturalism. Moreover, while the 1987 and 2000 coups sought to protect the economic interests of certain business and traditional elites, this coup aimed to address corruption and economic mismanagement and see that the economy works in the interest of all Fiji's people (35% - 40% of whom live below the poverty line). Moreover, the Bainimarama government says it wants to return Fiji to real democracy and that his coup was a coup to end all future coups."

How well have the aims of the 2006 Coup been fulfilled?

I guess the big question now is how well have the aims of the December 2006 coup been fulfilled?

Combatting racism

In terms of combating racism and making everyone in Fiji respect multiculturalism, a lot has been achieved. The racist legislation of the Qarase era which provoked the coup has been withdrawn. People of all races living in Fiji are now called "Fijians" (with the indigenous Fijians being referred to as i-Taukei). The divisive aspects of elections has been done away with so that now we are to have one person, one vote. The names of schools identified according to race have been changed. Of course, as many say, it is easy to pass legislation against racism but changing the mentality of the people is another matter and takes time. But there have been very positive moves to address racism. However, as some point out, the army itself is still a racially based institution dominated by indigenous Fijians and so does not really represent multi-culturalism.

Class divisions have increased

Presumably racism has been fought for the purpose of making Fiji a more inclusive nation. However, while racism and racial divisiveness has been addressed, it would appear that class divisions have increased. Fiji is still a country with deep inequalities (as the 1997 Fiji Poverty Report states in its opening sentence). Income inequalities have increased with the lower 30% of the population earning roughly 10% of all wages and the upper 30% earning roughly 60% of all wages. Poverty and inequality have increased. A number of pro-poor programs have been introduced (such as free bus fares for those whose parents combined income is below $15,000, free text-books for schools, food stamps for those on social welfare) BUT these have been negated by policies introduced on the advice of the World Bank and the IMF (such as increasing VAT, devaluing the currency by 20%, and privatizing/corporatizing various entities - including basic services such as water and electricity). All these policies have impacted heavily on the poor only 3-4% of whom are covered under Social Welfare programs. Read more

• Fr Kevin J Barr in Croz Walsh's Blog
• Image: fijilive

However, some religious organisations have told the Fiji government they may not participate in the electronic voter registration.

Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki said the organisations had refused to register because of their religious beliefs.

Cawaki said these religious bodies had been informed the government wanted everybody to register so they could have a say on who should govern the country.

However on Monday, the Attorney-General and Minister for Elections Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that registration and voting was not compulsory.

The identity of the groups was not revealed.

Those wish to use the Electronic Voters Registration process can go to a designated Voter Registration Centre where trained clerks will assist them.

They will be asked for one form of valid identification with a photograph. Applicants will be helped to fill out a registration form and have her or his photograph and thumbprint taken. When the process is complete the applicant will be a registered voter and will receive a voter card.

The registration process takes three to five minutes on average. Once the EVR is finished, the data uploads to a central database via internet connection or is encrypted on a flash drive.

4000 people have already registered. The Fijian government's target is to register over 600,000 people in the span of eight weeks. Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum, admits the target is going to be hard work. "We have set ourselves a fairly onerous target."

CODE Corporation from Canada has supplied the Biometric Voter Registration System (BVRS) under the Biometric Voter Registration agreement between the corporation and the government of Fiji.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Link
• Island Business
• Image: The Jet