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Bainimarama’s new order for Fiji is punctuated with threats, intimidation, assimilation and the blatant show of naked force, which is becoming as prevalent as good citizens continue to remain silent and condone out of fear of reprisal.

The Methodist Church, one of Fiji’s hallowed institutions, is being threatened to extinction by Fiji’s illegal junta.

Last week, we read of Bainimarama’s decision to cancel the Annual Methodist Church’s Annual Conference to be held in Lomanikoro Rewa in August this year out of fear of possible discussions that may destabilise his rule.

How paradoxical when you consider it was Bainimarama himself who destabilised Fiji when he executed his 2006 coup then irrevocably damaged Fiji’s future, when he forced incompetent Josefa Iloilo to abrogate the Constitution and reappoint him back as Prime Minister.

Bainimarama’s reasoning is flawed because in effect, he is saying to the Methodist Church, you are not permitted to destabilise me, eventhough I committed high treason!

Many do not recall, when Rabuka executed his 1^st coup in 1987, the then President of the Methodist Church in Fiji Rev. Josateki Koroi condemned the coup.

He was later censored by the Standing Committee, then removed by Rev. Manasa Lasaro and his cronies, who installed Rev. Ratu Isireli Caucau as President and installed Rev. Lasaro as its Connextional Secretary.

After Rev. Koroi’s removal the Methodist Church changed its stance and supported Rabuka and it is this stance, which many remember today and not the previous stance by its former President.

Some have commented that Rev. Koroi was the last of the godly Presidents.

Rev. Lasaro’s incarceration several weeks ago was karma because of his involvement in the 1^st coup and the removal of Rev. Josateki Koroi.

Now, President Rev. Ame Tugaue and Secretary Rev. Tuikilakila Waqairatu hold the future of the Methodist Church in their hands.

Should they seek a compromise with the illegal junta and not oppose them, so they can be permitted to hold their Annual Church Conference in Lomanikoro, Rewa in August?

Or should they tell Bainimarama they cannot in good conscience compromise with his illegal junta and have to stand on truth and justice, irrespective of what may befall them?

Rev. Tugaue and Rev. Waqairatu are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, so what should they do?

Let’s quickly review highlights of both their past track records to see whether it can shed light on what the Methodist Church should do today?

Bainimarama in December 2006 said his action was not a coup, but a clean-up of systemic corruption & nepotism.

All Cabinet positions were vacant and citizens were encouraged to apply and no one will be appointed to ensure fairness and transparency.

Leweni claimed to have received well over 300 applications, but in the end, all Cabinet Ministers were appointed.

After 2 ½ years, no systemic corruption was ever proved and to date, no SDL Minister has ever been convicted of any corruption charges whilst in office.

The blatant nepotistic appointments to the various government and statutory boards during this time, by the illegal junta on the other hand wholly contradict their high moral ground clean-up claim.

Not forgetting the illegal back-pays to Bainimarama authorised by none other than Mahendra ‘Robin Hood’ Chaudary and his 40 thieves made up of senior Military Officers.

Then as soon as the Fiji Court of Appeal rules against Josefa Iloilo’s appointment of Bainimarama, he resigns and forces Iloilo to abrogate the Constitution and reappoint him back as Prime Minister.

His total control over the media in Fiji, so no negative reports of the truth.

His releasing of convicted manslaughters responsible for the unlawful deaths of Sakiusa Rabaka and Nimilote Niubasaga on Compulsory Supervisionary Orders.

The using of CSO to release prisoners into the community to serve the remainder of their time was one of the issues he condemned deposed Laisenia Qarase of committing when he released former President Ratu Seniloli and Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on CSO.

As for the Methodist Church, they removed former President Rev. Josateki Koroi after he condemned the coup and since then have struggled to reclaim their moral leadership.

They have learnt from their error and now condemn the Bainimarama coup and are criticised for their double standards.

The Methodist Church should come out clean and explain their turn around.

The Church should admit its mistake and seek forgiveness from Rev. Josateki Koroi and the people of Fiji for their supporting Rabuka during the 1^st coup.

Only then, can they truly be a force to be reckoned with.

If they did this, it would put pressure on Arch Bishop Peter Mataca to follow suit as well as all other religious leaders in Fiji

More importantly, in the future these religious leaders will think twice before jumping into the bandwagon of illegal juntas and be caught up in the euphoria.

So, what should Rev. Ame Tugaue and Rev. Tuikilakila Waqairatu do?

Whatever they do, whether it is right or wrong will depend on whether they can face the people of Fiji with a clear conscience and truthfully explain their decision and also be able to sleep well at night?

May God bless Fiji.

Tui Savu.

Lawyer.

Townsville QLD.