A-G: Church should reinstate ministers

I HAVE yet to understand the basis on which the Methodist Church has not reinstated its ministers who were removed from their positions for not taking the COVID-19 jab three years ago, says AttorneyGeneral Siromi Turaga.

In a recent public consultation at Drauniivi in Ra, the A-G said the dismissals of the ministers were based on a law that had been repealed by the Government.

“My view is this, if those dismissals were based on a law that was by regulation or by legislation, then once that law is repealed, basically any other position taken by any other should be revoked,” Mr Turaga said.

“I’ve yet to understand the basis on which the Methodist Church is not permitting its ministers who did not take COVID-19 injection.

“I think there are a lot of interpretations, but if you look strictly, that stance was based on a government position, now that government position has changed following the repeal of that particular provision.”

Mr Turaga said he shared those views as a staunch Methodist and a lay preacher and hoped the church would take a different approach this year with new president Dr Semisi Turagavou assuming leadership from this month.

He said the stance the Government had taken was also shared by the masses and in most cases, those who opted out of the COVID jab would have been reinstated.

“I would like to convey my views to the current president because I’m concerned that at some time, it was interpreted as disrespect.

“Now you’ve got to weigh if that disrespect was taken on their decision, so if they decide not to for that reason, it’s a bit unfair, too harsh to punish them.

“I believe for some it’s the tradition that you can’t disrespect the directive from the president, at least for the Methodist Church but it’s something that needs to be weighed with other considerations.”

At last year’s church conference, the church communications secretary the Reverend Wilfred Regunamada said 20 ministers were removed for not taking the jab.

A minister was reinstated last year after appealing against the church’s decision.