13 Jul 2009

Fiji Methodists concerned about new church linked to police

1:35 pm on 13 July 2009

The established Methodist Church in Fiji is worried by the messages being preached by the so-called New Methodist Church.

The new Christian movement was established by Atu Vulaono, who is a brother of the Police Commissioner.

The Commissioner, Commodore Esala Teleni, has been driving a new religious focus in the police force with a Christian Anti-Crime Crusade.

The General Secretary of Fiji's Methodist Church, the Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, says concerns about the new movement start with its name:

"They call themselves new methodists but the justification but the justification for using the name is a big question as well as the characteristic of their preaching and the way they recruited their people to become ministers, it is totally, it brings some serious questions about how this new domination operates itself."

The Reverend Waqairatu says the way the new denomination works hand in hand with police raises further questions and they would like to hold discussions with the commissioner.