Bainimarama says his meeting with Methodist executives this morning did not produce any positive results and that their earlier decision will not be altered.

“The decision is that we’ve postponed the Methodist Conference until next year. That’s the final decision by the Government. That is being made known to the president and the general secretary.”

Methodist Church General Secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu says the church’s executive council will have to meet first before they can make a statement on the issue.

-Fiji Broadcasting Corporation LTD.

Fiji Methodist Church leaders have met the Prime Minister and his senior military officers and are anxiously awaiting word on whether their annual conference will go ahead.

Neither the church ministers nor PM Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama spoke to the media after their hour-long meeting at Government Buildings today.

Methodist Church General Secretary Reverand Tuikilakila Waqairatu briefly explained that they are awaiting word from the Government on what will be done.

The Government is likely to issue a statement on the outcome of the meeting.

Also present in the meeting were Commissioner Central Lieutenant Liolonel Mosese Tikoitoga, Lieutant-Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba, Minister for Works Captain (Navy) Timoci Natuva and Information Permanent Secretary Lieutant-Colonel Neumi Leweni.

Church President Ame Tugaue had asked to meet Bainimarama after the military council and police last Friday announced the cancellation of the conference.

The security forces attributed the cancellation to security concerns surrounding the possible discussion of political issues during the two-week long event in August.

The Methodist conference, a highlight of the church’s annual calendar, sees members from all over the country gather in one location.

The people of Rewa Province have been preparing for two years to host the event this year.

The Uniting Church in Australia has links with Sri Lanka through partnerships with local churches and Sri Lankan members of the Uniting Church in Australia. Many of these churches are serving in regions impacted by the war. Church members and clergy have been detained by the Sri Lankan military. They have lost family members and their stories are heartbreaking.

One church leader claims up to 10,000 men, women and children may have been killed during the battle this week to defeat the LTTE.

Within the Church, Tamil and Sinhalese members have spoken of their anguish at the situation of their families and friends, many of whom remain in camps short of food, water and shelter.  They have called on the Church to act in support and have sought peace within a divided Australian community.

In response, UnitingWorld has launched an emergency appeal for Sri Lanka and sent an initial $25k for immediate relief. We have kept in regular contact with Sri Lanka partners throughout the war assuring them of the Uniting Church’s prayers and concern.

These funds will provide essential food and equipment packs, pastoral support and medical supplies. We are also seeking to establish emergency accommodation to provide a day care service, meals, counselling and equipment to displaced communities.

Relief and Development Associate Director Rob Floyd says “Supplies will provide for approx. 4500 people for one to two weeks but continued uncertainty means that more assistance is urgently needed”. UNICEF currently estimates that over a quarter of a million Sri Lankans are now in camps for people displaced by the fighting.

Donate – You can donate via the website www.unitingworld.org.au, or call 1800 998 122

Advocate – The Hon Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs has said ‘we [can] help the Sri Lankan government, the Sri Lankan people achieve an enduring, lasting peace’ you can write to the Minister to register your support of this stance and your ongoing concern.

Pray – The UnitingWorld website has prayer resources for Sri Lanka provided by the Christian Conference of Asia.

UnitingWorld Associate Director for Church Solidarity (Pacific) Bruce Mullan met with Parliamentary Secretary (Pacific Island Affairs) Duncan Kerr and key advisors and chiefs of staff for Trade Minister Simon Crean and Parliamentary Secretary (International Development Assistance) Bob McMullan.

As Australia and New Zealand engage in the PACER Plus round of trade negotiations with Pacific nations both countries are working hard to persuading Pacific governments of the advantages of their approach.

UnitingWorld Director Rev Dr Kerry Enright said the Australian and New Zealand governments are operating like free trade evangelists and it appears that only civil society groups such as the church are presenting alternative views.

“UnitingWorld supports economic development but believes it needs to have its place within the wider Pacific Christian cultural context, not undermining it,” Dr Enright said.

In response to this issue, UnitingWorld has developed a policy paper on trade justice for submission to the Assembly.

It has been adopted in the interim by the Assembly Standing Committee and a proposal to the Uniting Church’s National Assembly in July will request the Assembly to adopt this paper as the basis for representations and advocacy.

The paper points out that while trade offers opportunities to foster human development, an unrestrained international trade system will leave the poorest and most vulnerable behind.

The delegation resolved to negotiate face-to-face conversations between church and other civil society leaders in Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands and Minister Crean and Mr McMullan.

You can add your voice to UnitingWorld’s in calling for equality in this issue.

Download UnitingWorld’s Trade Justice white paper

Email Trade Minister Simon Crean and Parliamentary Secretary (International Development Assistance) Bob McMullan about your concerns.