The stand taken by the Methodist church of Fiji and the Association of Christian Churches of Fiji, is commendable.
Speaking on behalf of the MethodistChurch in Fiji with a membership of over 200,000 adherents, they have declared in their submission to the IIG that the National Council for Building a Better Fiji is illegal and unconstitutional and they have called on the IIG to cease the formation of this council.
They said the IIG has no popular mandate of the people and should restrict itself to taking the nation back to civilian rule through a general election and restoration of a full democracy as early as possible.
Their submission also stated their concern that the nations elected Prime Minister ousted by the military in 2006 has been excluded from participating in the discussions of this charter as well as other key people from the ousted government. They condemned the illegal appointment of officers in the military to key positions in government institutions.
They also stated that the appointment of a military officer to the position of Police Commissioner is illegal and morally wrong because of the two cases pending against the military over the December takeover.
They went on to state that the politicisation of of appointments is the worst form of corruption.
Many have criticised the stand of the church and are of the view that their should be a separation between church and state. But by virtue of a majority Christian population the Christian church has a valid voice in Fiji. It's voice must be heard!
The voice of the Christian church must be in unity. While the Methodists are 200,000 strong, their thousands of other Christians who still need to raise their voice. How can Christians stand idly by while watching unrighteousness unfold?
It is a sad day when good people do nothing or say nothing. It is a day of mourning when Christians who know and uphold the truth and righteousness of God, do not stand up to speak!
