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When the World Methodist Council met earlier this month in Durban, South Africa, there was joy and applause at the announcement that the government in Fiji would allow the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma to hold its Conference this year. The Conference has not been able to meet since 2009 when the Church was accused of violating the public emergency regulations imposed by the military coup, which had overthrown the government of Fiji in 2006.

For the past three years the Church has been banned by the government from holding its Conference, as well as the annual choir festival of the Church held in conjunction with the Conference. In 2009, nine Church leaders were arrested for allegedly breaching the public emergency regulations, including the Church’s President, General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary; however, none have ever been brought to a trial due to repeated delays and postponements in the court system. Further, the Church’s weekly radio program was banned and the Church was ordered not to hold a service of induction for its President and General Secretary.

Under the provisions of the public emergency regulations, permission had been given in writing for the Church to hold its Conference this year. The Church complied with those regulations by limiting the Conference to no more than three days and by submitting the agenda for the Conference to the government in advance. However, when the government learned that the President and General Secretary would continue in Church leadership, they cancelled the Conference as well as all Church meetings, including those at the local church level.

The World Methodist Council is deeply concerned about the actions the government of Fiji continues to take against the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, which constitute a clear violation of the fundamental human right to religious freedom. The Council calls on the global Methodist/Wesleyan family to earnestly pray for the Church and its witness, that the government leaders allow the Church to meet and conduct its rightful business, and that a peaceful rule of democracy occur.

We call upon the member Churches of the World Methodist Council to join us in sending letters of support to the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma in care of Rev. Tevita Banivanua. Additionally, we strongly encourage the 500 individual delegates of the World Methodist Council to do the same. We further recommend letters be sent to Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama expressing concern that the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma has not been allowed to hold its Conference in three years and asking that this ban be lifted. Finally, we ask that the Churches in Fiji be in dialogue with the government regarding the future.

Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary Elect, World Methodist Council
Rev. Kim Reisman, Chairperson, Social & International Affairs Committee, World Methodist Council
Dr. George Freeman, Retiring General Secretary, World Methodist Council