American Samoa's Governor, Togiola Tulafono, has dismissed critics who say the government is getting more involved in religious matters.
Togiola says there are some in the territory who believe that the government should not continue to focus on issues using religion or programmes that focus or address religion.
The governor says there are those who do not believe that past blessings came from the Heavenly Father.
But he says they should not stop other people who believe that these blessings came from God.
He says American Samoa has been very fortunate for the many blessings from God, whom he says is also responsible for resolving many of its problems.
The governor, who is the former chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, says the government and churches should support each other and work together.
