That's the opinion of the Chairman of the National Council of Churches (N.C.C), Deacon Kasiano Leaupepe, in the wake of calls from Samoa Faafafine Association for the community to respect their rights.

Speaking during an interview with the Samoa Observer, Le'aupepe said fa'afafines are human beings created by God and they should be respected.

But he objected to a commonly held misconception that fa'afafines are part of the Samoan culture.

"Back in the days we hardly heard of this word fa'afafine because there were hardly any fa'afafines around in our days," he said.

Ombudsman - "Fa'afafines are an important part of Samoan culture."

At the same time Samoa's Ombudsman, in response complaints made to the office about the recent publication of controversial article in the Samoa Observer, says that "Fa'afafine are an important part of Samoan culture."

"They are traditionally known for their hard work and dedication to the family in carrying out the roles and responsibilities of both men and women."

"We should always consider our fa'asamoa by ensuring that we afford fa'afafine feavaa'i (mutual respect) and refer to them in a manner that is both culturally and gender sensitive."

The statement also refers to the article 1 of the Declaration on human rights; "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

The statement continues: "This concept mirrors the core fa'asamoa principle of feavaa'i."

"Like the human right to dignity, feavaa'i is demanded of all Samoans. It is something that should be afforded to all people, regardless of their gender, race or creed."

"It should also be afforded at all stages of the human experience, from birth to adolescence, adulthood and even in death."

Source

• sobserver.ws
• asiapacificreport.nz
• Image: cfnhri.org

The suggestion has been made following the incident in Australia where a Samoan woman has been charged for abandoning her baby in a drain.

She is the 30 year old daughter a Seventh Day Adventist church minister.

The woman has been living with her aunt, uncle and cousins in Sydney's west. Her parents and siblings live in Samoa.

Urging women to be more up front and ask for help when needed, Le'aupepe blamed such incidents on young people having too much freedom.

He said the onset of what he described as a "foreign concept called human rights" has not helped matters.

"In the life of a Samoan, even if you have ten children and married, you still have to obey your parents," said Le'aupepe.

"That is how it was in the past. Parents instructed their children according to God's teaching but the introduction of such belief (rights of a child) has suppressed parents."

"Now we have children turning and threatening their parents with these rights."

The Chairman said smacking children and instructing them on what to do has been reduced because of legislation "but this is where the problem arises."

The elderly Catholic deacon pointed out that in the past, children were taught that a person is an image of God.

He added that having a baby outside of marriage (tofale) is not new.

"When girls had babies outside of marriage in the past, they did not wrap them up and throw them away."

"No, they cared for them and their families accepted them as their own and loved them."

Some Samoan Community leaders in New Zealand have said that often Samoan women who are unmarried and pregnant fear shaming their families.

"I am urging the community to be supportive of what is happening and learn from it - someone in your area next to you is having that problem now," Sooalo Setu Mua said.

The tragic case has been a hot topic at Radio Samoa, with community leaders pleading with listeners to be compassionate.

They say that many people have become incensed by the incident, prompting calls to look at the reasons why a number of Samoan women abandon their babies after birth.

"A lot of the upset people are Samoans because they value the name of Samoa, but at the same time people have come to their senses that yes there is an issue," says Teleiai Edwin Puni, a Seventh Day Adventist minister who lives in Auckland.

Samoa's N.C.C. Secretary, Rev. Maauga Motu agrees Le'aupepe.

He says Samoan women abandoning their babies highlighted the need for Samoa to draw closer to God.

He believes that dumping babies are done by those who have gone away from God.

"I feel that the incident took place because she stopped going to church," said Rev. Motu.

"The pastor's house and the church is where children are nurtured."

"Once they break away from that, they start having problems and begin to take the wrong approach."

"The counseling from the pastor is no longer there, to advice and give support."

He added that because children were made aware of the gospel teachings, they also feared and knew the consequences of wrong actions.

Source

• TVNZ
• Samoa Observer
• Mailonline
• Image: Dailytelegraph.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

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