Fiji government arrests Methodists

LONDON (UMNS) — Nine Methodist leaders in Fiji, including the church's president, the Rev. Ame Tugaue, and its top executive, the Rev. Tuikilakila Waqairatu, pleaded not guilty Aug. 12 to charges of breaching public emergency regulations. After appearing in court, the leaders were released on bail until a full hearing on Sept. 24.

They had been arrested July 22 and held for two days on allegations of planning to use the denomination's Aug. 11-25 annual conference for political purposes. The government ordered cancellation of the annual conference, perhaps for as much as five years. The event is among the largest yearly festivals in Fiji, attracting thousands of people to the meeting that includes a choir competition and hymn fest preceding it.

According to the Methodist Church in Britain, negotiations are continuing regarding the conditions of bail and future church meetings. Traditional choir festivals are expected to go ahead, beginning Aug. 22, as scheduled.

Arrests of Methodist church leaders in Fiji and cancellation by the government of the annual church conference in the island nation are raising concerns within the international Methodist family.

"We are disturbed by the implications of the arrests and the conference cancellation for issues of human rights and freedom of religion," said the Rev. Edward W. Paup, top executive of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).

Paup reiterated a call to prayer for the people of Fiji issued by the Methodist Church of Britain and expressed confidence in the Methodist leaders of Fiji.

Other church officials were reportedly brought in for questioning by representatives of a military government headed by Col. Frank Bainimarama. He seized power in 2006, overthrowing a constitutional government.

Those detained besides Waqairatu and Tugaue, included two former presidents, the Rev. Manasa Lasaro and the Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi, along with Viliame Gonelevu, the church's financial secretary.

One-third of Fiji's population of some 837,000 is Methodist.

One-third of Fiji's population of some 837,000 is Methodist. The church grew from British Methodist mission origins, but is a GBGM mission partner.

The church in Fiji also has close ties with regional conferences of United Methodists on the U.S.’s West Coast.

The military regime began a crackdown on critics in April. Tensions with the Methodist Church have been on the rise since. The church has complained to the United Nations about violations of human and civil rights.

Christine Elliott, who is in charge of external affairs for the Methodist Church in Britain, said the church’s leadership is standing up to the government.

“Colonel Bainimarama is making a strong statement about who is in power,” Elliott said in a statement. “The Methodist Church is the largest faith group in Fiji, holds a significant amount of power among the people and has considerable influence over voters.”

Editor’s note: Elliott Wright, information officer of the General Board of Global Ministries, contributed to this article from United Methodist News Service.