Fiji Methodists Update

The Baptist and Uniting Churches in NSW are now fully aware of the situation, and Church members are being circulated about the serious limitations on the religious liberty of Fijian Christian leaders. The Anglican Church has referred the matter to the Archbishop.

Baptists have been asked to take whatever action their consciences suggest, with the note that "Baptists have historically stood alongside all those who suffer on account of their religious belief/practice, and I would hope some decisive action might be taken by Australian Baptists in the face of the coercive actions by the Fijian authorities." (Rod Benson, Ethicist, Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT)

Whether Fijian Baptists are currently under pressure from the government is unclear. This situation was triggered by Methodist refusal to accept a Government ban on the annual Methodist Conference. This ban was imposed apparently out of fear that the widely supported Methodist Church in Fiji might form a base for opposition to the Government. (See earlier posting.)

There is evidence that some U.S. fundamentalists are strongly supporting the military dictatorship in Fiji, and some leaders in the current Government claim to be Christian.

So far, the President and General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji have appeared in court in Suva facing charges under the Public Order Act due to alleged non-compliance with conditions of a Police Permit for a meeting of the Methodist Standing Committee. Why Police Permits are deemed necessary for a Church leaders' committee meeting is not explained.

The two ministers have been bailed  subject to travel restrictions and a conditions that they must not contravene the Public Order Act. Two others arrested with them were not charged.

The Chief of the Rewa Province was also charged under the same Act over a letter supportive of holding the Annual Conference.  The case has garnered considerable public interest in Fiji despite clamps on the media and on dissemination of information.