Methodist Head Peace Initiative Augurs Well for Church’s Future

The president of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa, must be commended for his reunification efforts with the breakaway group led by Reverend Anare Maravu. Reverend Maravu’s Wesleyan Connexion Church was formed in 1989 after the change of leadership in the Methodist Church.

A group led by the late Reverend Manasa Lasaro, supporters of Sitiveni Rabuka’s 1987 military coups, took over from the then president Reverend Josateki Koroi. Reverend Koroi was against Rabuka’s imposition of the infamous Sunday ban which stopped organised sports, businesses operating and public transport running. It was unpopular, but it appealed to the extremist elements in the Methodist Church such as the Reverend Lasaro brigade.

After Reverend Koroi’s removal, Reverend Maravu and his group broke away and formed their new church. This is what politics can do. It can cause havoc in the church or other organisations for that matter.

The Methodists know that years after the 1989 event, a blemish in the church’s impressive record, the church suffered. Not only the Maravu group left, other members left and joined other churches. As a result, the church went through a decline in membership.

It also struggled because of differences with the Bainimarama Government. This led to the banning of the annual conference and bazaar. But these were reinstated after the political elements were no longer in church leadership.

Today the church has regained some of the lost ground. Extending the olive branch to Reverend Maravu is part of that rebuilding process after those dark years.

Reverend Vakadewavosa is the right person at the helm now because of his vision of a stronger and united church. He was in Class Three when Reverend Maravu was already a talatala. But the age and experience gap has not stopped Reverend Vakadewavosa from pursuing his unity talks.

Reverend Maravu’s response has been cautious although he welcomes Reverend Vakadewavosa’s initiative. He can’t be blamed for thinking like that. Where was the Methodist Church all these years since 1989? Was there any previous attempt for reconciliation and reunification? If there was none then Reverend Maravu may be asking: Why now?

He is 88 years old and a religious icon. His church is now well established. But Reverend Vakadewavosa wants to say that division is not good and against their spiritual beliefs.

They teach and preach the same doctrines, so they should be one. Reverend Vakadewavosa should continue this reconciliation path. He has demonstrated humility by leaving his Suva office and going to Burebasaga Village to meet Reverend Maravu on his home turf. That is a fine gesture and great example for church members.

Since he has been president, he has led the church to be free of politics, strengthening peace, stability and unity within the church. Members should follow him as their spiritual leader because he has the right message. His peace initiative involving Reverend Maravu augurs well for the church’s future. NEMANI DELAIBATIKI Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj