Court sets conditions for church meetings

The executives of the Methodist Church of Fiji have been given permission to attend church meetings with strict conditions set out this morning by Suva Magistrate Eparama Rokoika.

Magistrate Rokoika has ordered that the nine church executives can attend all church meetings which are solely and wholly for the administration of the church.

The meetings are not to contain any political issues and that the church has to apply for a permit for each meeting and they must adhere to the requirements of the permit.

While seeking the variations to bail conditions set earlier by the court, defence counsel Aseri Vakaloloma stressed that the nine church executives are elected members of the church and meetings are an important part in the running and daily administration of the church.

He said they are the policy makers and must carry out their duties in the interest of the church, its members and in the public interest.

Vakaloloma highlighted that there are 329,759 members of the Methodist Church and under the church constitution, monthly, quarterly and annual meetings must be held.

He revealed that there are 18,000 meetings amongst the Methodist Church executives each year, 3,816 circuit meetings, 1,275 quarterly circuit meetings and 53 divisional meetings, where the accused persons are required to attend and discuss matters relating solely to the administration of the church.

He stressed that the accused persons are Methodist pastors and have obligations to the church and the community and as leaders must uphold the truth, honesty and dignity of the court and the church.

DPP John Rabuku did not object to the application for a bail variation.

He said their willingness to agree to strict conditions indicates that the church acknowledges that the church falls within the structures of the government and the police and it is a sign that things are moving in the right direction.

Church president Reverend Ame Tugaue, general secretary Tuikilakila Waqairatu, Reverend Sakaraia Koli, Reverend Apete Toko, Reverend Kalivati Ravoka, Ratu Inoke Seniloli, Livai Tuisagavere along with Reverend Manasa Lasaro and Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi are charged with allegedly attending a meeting in contravention of the Public Emergency regulation.

Their plea is expected to be taken when the case is called again on August 13th.