By Staff Writer
Faleata No. 3 MP Lealailepule Mr. Rimoni Aiafi, zeroed in this week on church ministers or ‘faifeau’ to remain neutral instead of deliberately working to influence the outcome of the April General Elections.
The popular MP who is unopposed in the next general elections wagged a disappointed finger at God’s Servants who are preaching for the faithful to vote against the Government.
“God will decide the new Parliament for Samoa, let’s not be politically bias in our prayers that is not the wish of God,” MP Lealailepule entreated in the Monday session of Parliament.
“Pray for the wellbeing of Samoa, don’t use the pulpit to sermonise for a change in Government. How would you feel if we made the call from Parliament for people to change to a new church,” he challenged.
The MP made it clear, however, that not all the ‘faifeau’ or clergy are guilty of crossing over into politics.
He did name the EFKS church where he was raised as a Christian and also recalled the spiritual teachings of the many ‘faifeau’ who nurtured his faith.
“The work of our church leaders is central to our spiritual life and we do hold them in reverence for the divine blessings on us.”
It is not the first time MP Lealailepule is critical of ‘faifeau’ trying to assert swaying influence in Government politics.
He challenged ‘faifeau’ to choose between the church and politics in an earlier public reaction to the issue.
“If you want a political career give up the church and come run in the general elections for a seat in Parliament,” was his challenge.
The EFKS church general secretary who is one of the ‘faifeau’ leading the political crusade for a new Government is refusing comment on the issue.
Rev. Vavatau Taufao angrily lashed out at the grumbling from the village communities of the ‘faifeau’ meddling in politics.
“As far as I’m concerned I don’t respond to stupid fools,” Rev. Taufao had raged when asked for his reaction.
The General Secretary is a former political leader of the Tautua Samoa opposition political party.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi narrowed the blame down to ‘faifeau’ weakened by the appeal of election campaign when he responded in Parliament to the concerns by MP Lealailepule.
“This is natural in anything and we should not let the actions of one or two [faifeau] smear the whole EFKS Church,” PM Tuilaepa contributed with a conciliatory tone.
“The EFKS is the largest denomination in the country and has toiled faithfully for our divine salvation.
“We should be grateful for their work and not let a misled few give the church a bad name.”
The Chairman of the National Council of Churches, Rev. Kasiano Leaupepe, is one of the concerned reactions raised over the ‘faifeau’ influence on the general elections.
Rev. Leaupepe is wary of the ‘faifeau’ creating divisions in the congregations by offending individual political loyalties.
“The role of the clergy is to pray and fast for the spirit of the Lord to guide the voters in making their own rightful choices on who the political leadership they believe and trust in,” he counseled.
“People have their own political loyalties and church leaders are not in the right place to influence them.
“They should preach the Word and encourage the faithful to follow the path of righteousness rather than scare them away.”
Rev. Leaupepe strongly chastised the ‘faifeau’ who will only complicate matters by putting unnecessary pressure on the peoples’ political choices.
