Talks between Fijian Methodists and the Fijian Government would be "the best Christmas present" for the Church

Methodists in Fiji are hopeful that the relationship between the Church and the Fijian Government will improve before the end of the year.

The Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Voereqe Bainimarama, who is due to fly back to Fiji this week following a visit in Britain, has been reported as saying that he is willing to talk to the Methodist Church in Fiji after relations between the Church and state deteriorated over the summer.

The Assistant General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji, the Revd Tevita Nawadra, welcomed the positive turn in events. “We are indeed very glad,” he told media. “We have been seeking a time to talk and share our difficulties together because the Church believes that the only way forward is for us to talk. If this comes around before the year ends, it will be the best Christmas present for us in the Methodist Church.” The Revd Tevita Nawadra also passed his thanks through the Connexional Team for “all the solidarity letters that have come our way from all parts of the world and the promised prayers Christians around the world have been forwarding the Methodist Church in Fiji”.

Church leaders from the Methodist Church in Britain met with Foreign Office officials following a deterioration of relations between the Fijian Government and the Methodist Church in Fiji in August. Foreign Office officials told Methodist Church leaders that MPs had received letters from individuals asking the British Government to help protect the rights of Fijian Methodists to practise their faith freely. Subsequent talks between the Foreign Office and the Fijian High Commission have resulted in a renewed interest on behalf of the Fijian Prime Minister to accept the Fijian Church’s offer to resume talks.

In 2009 four senior members of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma were charged with organising and participating in a contravention of the Public Emergency Regulations in 2009. Their trial was due to take place last week after countless adjournments over the past two years, but instead a further unexpected delay was announced and the case is now not due to be heard until 14 to 16 May 2012. The court has adjourned until February 27.