Fiji's Methodist Church is under strong criticism for sending 14 ministers and 3 deaconesses to Australia to attend a two-month course on peace building.
The Fiji Sun says the move is designed to help the Methodist Church promote the government's controversial Reconciliation and Unity Bill.
The Fijian Political Party's Ema Druavesi says the church is being used as a political tool for next year's general election,
She says the church should stay away from politics and warns that if it continues, Fiji will be heading downwards.
The National Federation Party's general secretary, Pramod Rae, says what is happening is very disturbing because the government is using the church for its political ends.
