One of the 39 recommendations in its report is for a government-led response supported by the church and village.

Dr Mercy Ah Siu Maliko says the church must change to be a better support to all victims of domestic violence.

She said in Samoa, 99.8 percent of the population are members of a church. This gives church leaders invaluable access to a community.

"Church leaders have a prophetic role in breaking the silence on domestic violence."

Maliko said that instead of acting as a kind of conscience for the people, the church has been tolerating domestic violence.

She said women who do disclose their abuse to someone may find the church an unsympathetic ear.

"Telling them to pray more, forgive, kiss and make-up is not enough."

While little has been documented on church responses to domestic violence, Maliko's research has identified a basic blueprint for how churches across Samoa have been responding.

She learned the attitude of "keeping our front lawn tidy" and not exposing the perpetrator of violence is a key contributor to allowing the issue of domestic violence to continue being swept under the rug.

Maliko is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Otago and Piula Theological College, and is considered a pioneer in the field of public theology, especially as a woman.

She was speaking at the 4th Samoa Conference in the first week of September.

The report found nine out of 10 people in Samoa experience violence in the home.

Six out of 10 women experience intimate partner violence and one in five is raped.

Source

• sobserver.ws
• radionz.co.nz
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: radionz.co.nz

"I am a Catholic and the church leaders are trying to help the people by making obligations not so tough," says Timu Iakopo, from the parish of Safotu in Savai'i.

"An example is that they have stopped the practice of providing gifts and food for the pastors. Before if there were four pastors at a funeral then all of them will get gifts but now only one is given a gift out of the four."

Timu says the choice of how much is given is also given entirely to the person, "But you know how stubborn Samoans are, they still give a large sum."

"Other churches should follow the example the Catholics have set," he said.

Timu has responsibility for 15 children from his immediate and his extended family.

"I am proud to say that all 15 of them are schooling. That's because I give all my trust to the Lord."

Aside from his strong faith, Timu provides for his family through hard work.

"We make money from coconut pieces," he said.

"I am able to make $250 from three sacks full of coconuts. It's a good honest way to make a living."

But with the demands often exceeding his income, Timu says it's time to go back to relying solely on what they get from the land.

He says the coconuts are a lot of work and he is thinking giving it away and, "just praying to the Lord to give me some money."

In fact he is thinking forgetting about money altogether,"we can live without money if we rely on just things from the land to live on."

"I guess the only reasons Samoan's suffer is because they want things that are expensive, if you live life like me and just make things simple, then life will be much easier.

"People want to eat chicken all the time but I think that's why we have so many sicknesses these days."

Read in Samoan Language

Source

• sobserver.ws
• Image: 1bp.blogspot.com

"I do not want to make any comment regarding the LDS membership until the Council meets again on Friday," NCC Secretary Rev. Ma'auga Motu said on Tuesday.

The Mormon headquarters at Pesega refused to comment for the same reason.

Source

• Talamua
• ldschurchtemples.com

Fire fighters were unable to save the multimillion dollar building in Apia. However they were able to contain the fire from spreading to nearby businesses in town and family homes.

Local reports say the fire may have started from a mosquito coil used by a night guard man.

However a fire senior officer says the real cause should be found after their inquiries.

Source

• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Bebo

Reverend Ma'auga Motu, NCC Secretary, told Talamua that they will be meeting next week to set down a Strategic Plan to address the growing problem.

He said that the young generations are having problems of listening to their parents however, with the help of church ministers, the problem can be solved. The church ministers need to work together with the village leaders to create a peaceful and healthy environment for the younger generation to grow and thrive.

Last week the police in Samoa said 25 people who had been charged with throwing stones could face more serious charges once they appear in court this week.

The group from the village of Vaiusu was arrested and charged after a brawl involving several young people of Vaigaga and Vaiusu villages over the weekend.

The brawl started after a group from Vaigaga allegedly assaulted a Vaiusu youth on the previous Wednesday.

Samoa's NCC has recently played a role in the recent standoff between Satapuala village and the Police.

Source

• Talamua
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: John Corney