An anonymous group is running newspaper ads this week calling on the more than 1,000 delegates attending the Congregation Christian Church of American Samoa conference to stop choosing politicians to hold top posts in the largest religious faith in American Samoa.
The advertisment asks church members to elect a chairman and vice chairman who have no political ties.
It also says that the constitution of American Samoa as well as the US Bill of Rights specifically states that "there shall be separation of church and state" and it should be the law.
Governor Togiola Tulafono is the current chairman.
His predecessor, the late governor Tauese Sunia also held the post.
Togiola's one year term as chair, ends today and the current vice chair, a church minister automatically takes over the chairmanship
