Page 31 - IB APR 2017

We Say
Fulfilling the prophetic role

Time for the churches to speak

THE church continues to play an integral
part in community life in the region
more than 200 years after the arrival of
the first missionaries.
From Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in
the east to Papua in the west, villagers
continue to flock to church for week day
and Sunday services and offer God the
produce of their plantations and fishing
grounds.
From Tonga in the south to Palau in
the north God remains a central part of
the lives of people in government, com-
merce and everyday life.
Throughout the region the church
continues to hold influence over village
elders, government ministers, national
sports representatives and children.
Since the advent of Christianity many
of the Pacific’s diverse peoples have
come to believe that their future suc-
cess, failure, happiness and security Pastors of the Gereja Kristen Injili di Tannah Papua at the opening of the Alpha Omega Church in Wai Sai, Raja
are determined by how well they serve Ampat, West Papa. Photo:Invictus
God today.
Much comfort is gained in communi- obligation, to ensure that as many
ties by inviting the local cleric to invoke ‘ ... as three of the people within the electorate receive as
God’s blessings upon communal or much development as possible within a
national projects. region’s largest reasonable time.
That is why it is so important for our Dangling development before the
church leaders to speak out on issues countries head to electorate in return for votes is unac-
of importance. ceptable.
As three of the region’s largest coun- polls the time has It is in this critical area that the
tries head to the polls, the time has come churches and faith-based organisations
for the leaders of all faiths to speak truth time for leaders of must talk to their congregations.
to power and, at the same time, hold the all faiths to speak For the electorate must hold their
faithful to account. leaders to the highest standards of gov-
In Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the truth and power ... ernance, morality and ethics.
Solomon Islands corruption has risen ‘ And it is in our faiths – Christianity,
to alarming levels since independence. Hinduism and Islam – that morality is
Politicians, community leaders, civil members of all communities, irrespec- taught through the holy books and the
servants and businesspeople show no tive of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual reflections of theologians and philoso-
compunction in lining up at the troughs orientation or religion. phers.
to have their fill of illicit profits siphoned Too often Pacific politicians withhold If our spiritual leaders call for open
from supposed community development development from those most in need and honest government, the people will
projects. by using the excuse that the specific demand the same.
Despite the exhortations of leaders in community did not vote for them. Of course it is equally important for
the hallowed halls of national legisla- And there are many Pacific commu- faith based organisations to be mea-
tures the rot continues. nities which believe that development sured by the same values.
It is time for faith-based organisations – water, sanitation, roads, schools and Religious leaders are not exempt from
to point the way forward to the faithful. electricity – are gifts from government being transparent and accountable in
Those who aspire to leadership in which should be rewarded by votes at their dealings.
the region must be an example to those the election. Indeed, it is they who must be the
whom they wish to lead. In reality, governments and leaders examples against which government
They have a responsibility to care for are obliged, indeed it is their sacred and community leaders are measured.
l We Say is compiled with the oversight of the editor.

Islands Business, April 2017 31