Church ‘will review’ position
ASuva-based Christian denomination plans to review Registration of Sex Offenders Bill once it’s enacted to see the implications on the church.
This was the sentiment of Christian Mission Fellowship International (CMFI) church administrator Etueni Caucau yesterday.
Mr Caucau and Pastor Manasa Tusulu made submissions on the Registration of Sex Offenders Bill on behalf of the church to the parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights. When asked if pastors who had previous convictions within the church would still be allowed to preach once the Bill was passed, Mr Caucau said they could only address the issue when the Bill was passed.
“I cannot pre-empt anything. Once the Bill comes into place than we have to have another relook at the Bill when it is enacted and see the legal implications it has on our church,” he said.
“Every sinner has a future and every saint has a past.
“We have some pastors who have been through worse and have been through some big challenges in life, but we were able to mould them back to be God-fearing citizens and good members of the community through faith and the belief that people can always change.”
Mr Caucau said the church always maintained an optimistic viewpoint that people could reform.
He said the committee should consider giving the role of the administration of the register to an organisation that was impartial from the daily running of criminal procedures.
“The administration of the register is now being placed on the Commissioner of Police. Would that represent a fair view of their role as policemen who are custodians of law and order,” Mr Caucau asked.
“Because we are all aware of the allegations levelled against the commissioner and his men in regards to the commission of sexual offences within the Police force.
“Even though they are still allegations, doubt has been raised so perhaps we might have to look at giving this role to a totally impartial organisation.”
The church recommended that sex offenders be excluded from employment related to other vulnerable communities such as the elderly, caregivers and the physically impaired.
On the issue of life registration for convicted sex offenders, Pastor Tusulu said it was OK. However, it should not allow offenders to be rejected from employment or service in their respective communities. “Many of the people involved in these crimes have the leadership potential to become better people. If we can change their belief system they will change,” he said.
“Life registration should not allow for us to continue regarding them as bad people because they have a lot of things to give back to society and they are transformed when we provide the right treatment to them.”
Mr Caucau said setting the registration for a life term would stigmatise accused persons.