By Martha Taumata Faavae
The recent appeal by the National Council of Churches, NCC, for Government to reconsider allowing the direct flight to repatriate stranded Samoans from Los Angeles was what they felt after praying and fasting.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi acknowledged meeting with a delegation from the NCC to hear their appeal.
NCC Chairman Rev. Kasiano Leaupepe, confirmed afterwards that it was not an easy issue for their delegation to raise.
“But the workload on the PM and Cabinet also calls on our contribution as religious leaders to share in matters of national importance,” Rev. Leaupepe explained.
“As members of the clergy we trust in our faith to offer the best counsel that will encourage the Government to make good decisions that will benefit the country.
“ Government can always reject our offer of advice but with the strength of our faith we believe that our prayers will offer them the powers to make good decisions.”
Rev. Kasiano said when the Council first heard of the plans for the direct flight from the US , they prayed to be granted the right advice they can offer Government.
“Our belief in the power of our prayers is that the right advice we should give Government is to stop the flight from coming.
“We could tell from watching the spread of the pandemic around the world that our stranded travellers booked on the flight were coming from countries most seriously infected.”
The NCC was made aware of the option for the flight to be diverted to New Zealand where the passengers could be quarantined for 14 days before they can continue to Samoa.
The religious leadership, however, did not agree with the option.
Rev. Leaupepe was saddened to see the run of criticisms on social media when the people involve would have been better off spending the time on prayers to protect Samoa from the pandemic.
“This is no time to play criticise or to play politics, this is a time when we have to stand together and work alongside each other to safeguard Samoa from the pandemic.
“Wise decisions are needed to be made at this time.”
The President of the Tautua Samoa political party, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele, was another happy person with the Government decision to cancel the Los Angeles flight.
The Tautua Samoa also made a similar appeal like the National Council of Church for the flight to be called off.
“It is the best decision to make because if New Zealand is not prepared to take the risk of holding the passengers in quarantine for 14 days before they can continue to Samoa, it shows the high risks of infection involved,” Afualo said.
“We don’t want to end up in a situation similar to what countries where the pandemic is widespread are going through.”