Friday, April 24, 2009
FIJI, THE TROUBLED NATION’S SITUATION
AUCKLAND (TVNZ Online/Pacific Media Watch): The weekly Marae magazine programme featuring Maori affairs and issues broadcast a panel discussion on the Fiji crisis on Sunday.The panel comprised regime Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s older brother, Sefanaia; former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Ltd chief executive Sireli Kini and Nik Naidu, spokesperson for the Coalition for Democracy in Fiji (CDF).Wide-ranging views were given on the Appeal Court judgement ruling the regime illegal on April 9, the subsequent abrogation of the constitution by the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, the reappointment of Bainimarama as prime minister and censorship of the media.The programme is available on TVNZondemand [@ 10min].
China's help may harm Fiji
Article from: The Australian
AS Chinese leaders like to see it, China gives aid without any political strings attached. But when you suddenly start bankrolling a pariah military dictatorship, does that argument really hold any water?
In the year following the 2006 coup in Fiji, Chinese aid pledges increased seven-fold. That is, from about $US23million in 2006 to a staggering $US161 million in 2007. A lot of that aid was not dispersed immediately, but what news escapes from Fiji these days suggests China has kept up its commitment to roll out the promised funds. The Fiji Electricity Authority and theChinese Development Bank signed a $US70 million loan agreement to commence the construction of the Nadarivatu Hydropower project. Chinese loans are also helping to fund other infrastructure projects in Fiji.
The relative weight of China's aid program in Fiji is worth noting. Whereas Australia is still the largest aid donor in the Pacific region as a whole, its 2008-09 aid program for Fiji is a rather meagre $26.9million. As the interim regime in Fiji has been isolated by Western nations in an effort to help the people win back their democracy, China has stepped in to fill the donor void.
Although funds from China have yet to make a measurable beneficial impact on Fiji's economy, the symbolism of Chinese aid is important. While the international community has been shunning Fiji's interim government, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping met Fiji's President Josefa Iloilo and interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama when he visited Nadi on a transit stop on February 9.
Bainimarama's regime has been pursuing a look-north policy since his relations with Australia and New Zealand fell apart after his December 2006 coup. Unlike Australia, New Zealand, the EU and the US, China refuses to comment on the domestic political affairs of other nations. In its dealings with Fiji's interim government, Beijing has not mentioned the importance of democracy nor linked its aid to elections. Bainimarama has portrayed China as Fiji's saviour to his supporters and to Fijians concerned about their next pay cheque.
Fiji's economy deteriorated rapidly in the first quarter of 2009. A perfect storm of devastating floods in January, the negative impact of the global financial crisis on demand for tourism and exports, and ongoing loss of business confidence following the coup had already hit Fiji before the April 10 abrogation of the constitution made matters much worse. The Reserve Bank of Fiji had already forecast a contraction of the economy; exports and investment were already lower than expected. Official foreign reserves have plummeted to just 2.7 months of import cover.
Fiji's relative size and strategic importance in the Pacific mean that the wider Pacific Islands region will suffer from its economic decline. Preventing the collapse of Fiji's economy is critical not only for Fiji but for the stability of the region. Fiji clearly needs financial assistance, and quickly. But it is important that assistance is provided in a manner that helps the people who need it and does not simply prop up Bainimarama and his coterie.
China has chosen to step up its aid to Fiji and take on the mantle of major donor. Its track record elsewhere suggests China has neither the will nor capacity to assume responsibility for fixing things if the country implodes. Australian and NZ officials have realised this and recently we have seen the question of China's role in Fiji raised with senior Chinese officials.
If China wants to be taken seriously as a responsible international actor, it needs to behave in a mature way in Fiji. Fiji's interim government will almost certainly request more financial assistance from China to help it respond to its liquidity crisis. China is likely to be willing to help.
Beijing knows the Fiji economy is in trouble and, as an investor in the island nation, will be keen to do what it can to help Fiji avert a financial catastrophe. The financial assistance Fiji requires, however, is beyond the capacity of any single donor, even China.
Rather than offer more bilateral assistance, China should be encouraged by Australia and others to direct new assistance to Fiji through international financial institutions. This would be consistent with the commitments made by the G20 leaders in London to increase the resources available through the international financial institutions so those institutions can help developing countries cope with the global financial crisis. It would send an important signal to Fiji's interim government that its only option is to deal with the international financial institutions and adopt the disciplines they recommend to stabilise the economy. And it would fit squarely with G20 leaders' efforts to integrate China into co-ordinated responses.
Looking at China's engagement with other regimes (Sudan's and Burma's, for example), the prospect of it changing its approach might seem far-fetched, but Fiji is a little different. Relatively, China doesn't have that much to gain from Fiji. China also wants rewards from Australia (such as approval for resources investments), which offers some room for compromise. For China's policy in Fiji, these changes would have few costs and some important benefits.
China doesn't have to be the bad guy in Fiji. If it chooses to deliver its aid through responsible international systems, it has the chance to have a real development impact in Fiji, enhancing its reputation in the region while demonstrating a maturity befitting a great power.
Jenny Hayward-Jones is program director of the Myer Foundation Melanesia Program and Fergus Hanson is a research fellow at the Lowy Institute.
AS Chinese leaders like to see it, China gives aid without any political strings attached. But when you suddenly start bankrolling a pariah military dictatorship, does that argument really hold any water?
In the year following the 2006 coup in Fiji, Chinese aid pledges increased seven-fold. That is, from about $US23million in 2006 to a staggering $US161 million in 2007. A lot of that aid was not dispersed immediately, but what news escapes from Fiji these days suggests China has kept up its commitment to roll out the promised funds. The Fiji Electricity Authority and theChinese Development Bank signed a $US70 million loan agreement to commence the construction of the Nadarivatu Hydropower project. Chinese loans are also helping to fund other infrastructure projects in Fiji.
The relative weight of China's aid program in Fiji is worth noting. Whereas Australia is still the largest aid donor in the Pacific region as a whole, its 2008-09 aid program for Fiji is a rather meagre $26.9million. As the interim regime in Fiji has been isolated by Western nations in an effort to help the people win back their democracy, China has stepped in to fill the donor void.
Although funds from China have yet to make a measurable beneficial impact on Fiji's economy, the symbolism of Chinese aid is important. While the international community has been shunning Fiji's interim government, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping met Fiji's President Josefa Iloilo and interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama when he visited Nadi on a transit stop on February 9.
Bainimarama's regime has been pursuing a look-north policy since his relations with Australia and New Zealand fell apart after his December 2006 coup. Unlike Australia, New Zealand, the EU and the US, China refuses to comment on the domestic political affairs of other nations. In its dealings with Fiji's interim government, Beijing has not mentioned the importance of democracy nor linked its aid to elections. Bainimarama has portrayed China as Fiji's saviour to his supporters and to Fijians concerned about their next pay cheque.
Fiji's economy deteriorated rapidly in the first quarter of 2009. A perfect storm of devastating floods in January, the negative impact of the global financial crisis on demand for tourism and exports, and ongoing loss of business confidence following the coup had already hit Fiji before the April 10 abrogation of the constitution made matters much worse. The Reserve Bank of Fiji had already forecast a contraction of the economy; exports and investment were already lower than expected. Official foreign reserves have plummeted to just 2.7 months of import cover.
Fiji's relative size and strategic importance in the Pacific mean that the wider Pacific Islands region will suffer from its economic decline. Preventing the collapse of Fiji's economy is critical not only for Fiji but for the stability of the region. Fiji clearly needs financial assistance, and quickly. But it is important that assistance is provided in a manner that helps the people who need it and does not simply prop up Bainimarama and his coterie.
China has chosen to step up its aid to Fiji and take on the mantle of major donor. Its track record elsewhere suggests China has neither the will nor capacity to assume responsibility for fixing things if the country implodes. Australian and NZ officials have realised this and recently we have seen the question of China's role in Fiji raised with senior Chinese officials.
If China wants to be taken seriously as a responsible international actor, it needs to behave in a mature way in Fiji. Fiji's interim government will almost certainly request more financial assistance from China to help it respond to its liquidity crisis. China is likely to be willing to help.
Beijing knows the Fiji economy is in trouble and, as an investor in the island nation, will be keen to do what it can to help Fiji avert a financial catastrophe. The financial assistance Fiji requires, however, is beyond the capacity of any single donor, even China.
Rather than offer more bilateral assistance, China should be encouraged by Australia and others to direct new assistance to Fiji through international financial institutions. This would be consistent with the commitments made by the G20 leaders in London to increase the resources available through the international financial institutions so those institutions can help developing countries cope with the global financial crisis. It would send an important signal to Fiji's interim government that its only option is to deal with the international financial institutions and adopt the disciplines they recommend to stabilise the economy. And it would fit squarely with G20 leaders' efforts to integrate China into co-ordinated responses.
Looking at China's engagement with other regimes (Sudan's and Burma's, for example), the prospect of it changing its approach might seem far-fetched, but Fiji is a little different. Relatively, China doesn't have that much to gain from Fiji. China also wants rewards from Australia (such as approval for resources investments), which offers some room for compromise. For China's policy in Fiji, these changes would have few costs and some important benefits.
China doesn't have to be the bad guy in Fiji. If it chooses to deliver its aid through responsible international systems, it has the chance to have a real development impact in Fiji, enhancing its reputation in the region while demonstrating a maturity befitting a great power.
Jenny Hayward-Jones is program director of the Myer Foundation Melanesia Program and Fergus Hanson is a research fellow at the Lowy Institute.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Prayer is Action
The Following Article was banned from publication in
The Fiji Times (for 21/04/09) by military censors
under the Public Emergency Regulations Decree 2009
(It was considered seditious)
Last Friday I attended my first parent teacher interview, which also coincided with Children’s Day. Even though my children are only in kindergarten, it was good to get feedback from the teachers as to how my son and daughter are developing, both in terms of learning and activities and their interaction with other children. As the only parent who is a “talatala,” I was asked to take the devotion for the children and their parents. It was a wonderful experience for my little four-year old son to assist me by saying the prayers after my short reflection. I had a glimpse of how my father must have felt when I assisted him in his services.
We often look at our children and see their potential for greatness. We see a future prime minister, a future doctor, the next Serevi, the leaders of tomorrow. But we must always be mindful that it is not so much what we say to them but what they see in us, what they see us do, that makes the lasting impression. The future prime minister can just as easily become a future murderer and the successes of tomorrow can always become the criminals of tomorrow.
That evening I led a second devotion, this time for the local Methodist Youth Fellowship. These young Christian men and women gave up their Friday night to kneel in solitary prayer and open their hearts to their God and pray for their families, their friends, and perhaps more importantly their nation.
Despite what some say, prayer is action. These young people in their chain prayer believe that the best and most peaceful action they can take during this time is prayer.
Many of you may remember the Peace Vigils during the political crisis of 2000 and since during times of upheaval. Men, women and children of all races, religions and walks of life gathered at the Holy Trinity Church in silence, with some spoken and sung words as well to pray, reflect, meditate and support each other.
One of the organisers of the Peace Vigil said, “To "keep vigil" is to watch and to wait. It is a time to step away from busyness and to tend to our spirits. For many of us the recent events have not allowed much time to think.
Prayer vigils are a time a time to stop for a moment, to find within ourselves the peace we want to see take shape in the world, to calm the mind, to listen for the still small voice inside that help us faithfully respond to the events around us and not just to react.
Often this is a time of silence but silence is not passive. It is a component of non-violence. It is in the stillness that the seeds of hope and the seeds of action are sown. And silence is not isolation, for when women come together for peace our silence can resound throughout the nation. Our silent vigil is our active demonstration that non-violence is a critical requirement for sustainable peace.”
We all know of the difficult days ahead, the global and local economy is struggling and looks get worse before it has any chance of getting better. There are many reasons to throw our hands up in the air in frustration and give up. We may feel powerless in our own situations but through prayer we can not only receive strength, we commit our concerns to a higher power, a God that moves in mysterious ways. Hearts can be touched, minds can be changed and relationships can be changed by the power of prayer.
Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever faith journey you travel, you have a space where you worship, where you can join with others to either silently reflect and meditate or actively pray for the nation.
When you pray, please do not just pray for yourself and your families, your village or community. Do not just pray for the people you know and the needs that you have. Remember that as you pray, others whom you may not know, whom you may never meet, may be praying for you. Please pray for all those in positions of community, religious and national leadership.
There is a well known prayer by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr that I would like to share with you:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light, hope and peace.
Until today I had a weekly opinion column, “Off the Wall with Padre James” in The Fiji Times. I received no monetary gratuity from the newspaper and considered his writing as part of his pastoral responsibility. The “Off the Wall” column will not appear in the Fiji Times or any other local publication until the immoral and draconian intimidation of the media by the current regime ceases.
The Fiji Times (for 21/04/09) by military censors
under the Public Emergency Regulations Decree 2009
(It was considered seditious)
Last Friday I attended my first parent teacher interview, which also coincided with Children’s Day. Even though my children are only in kindergarten, it was good to get feedback from the teachers as to how my son and daughter are developing, both in terms of learning and activities and their interaction with other children. As the only parent who is a “talatala,” I was asked to take the devotion for the children and their parents. It was a wonderful experience for my little four-year old son to assist me by saying the prayers after my short reflection. I had a glimpse of how my father must have felt when I assisted him in his services.
We often look at our children and see their potential for greatness. We see a future prime minister, a future doctor, the next Serevi, the leaders of tomorrow. But we must always be mindful that it is not so much what we say to them but what they see in us, what they see us do, that makes the lasting impression. The future prime minister can just as easily become a future murderer and the successes of tomorrow can always become the criminals of tomorrow.
That evening I led a second devotion, this time for the local Methodist Youth Fellowship. These young Christian men and women gave up their Friday night to kneel in solitary prayer and open their hearts to their God and pray for their families, their friends, and perhaps more importantly their nation.
Despite what some say, prayer is action. These young people in their chain prayer believe that the best and most peaceful action they can take during this time is prayer.
Many of you may remember the Peace Vigils during the political crisis of 2000 and since during times of upheaval. Men, women and children of all races, religions and walks of life gathered at the Holy Trinity Church in silence, with some spoken and sung words as well to pray, reflect, meditate and support each other.
One of the organisers of the Peace Vigil said, “To "keep vigil" is to watch and to wait. It is a time to step away from busyness and to tend to our spirits. For many of us the recent events have not allowed much time to think.
Prayer vigils are a time a time to stop for a moment, to find within ourselves the peace we want to see take shape in the world, to calm the mind, to listen for the still small voice inside that help us faithfully respond to the events around us and not just to react.
Often this is a time of silence but silence is not passive. It is a component of non-violence. It is in the stillness that the seeds of hope and the seeds of action are sown. And silence is not isolation, for when women come together for peace our silence can resound throughout the nation. Our silent vigil is our active demonstration that non-violence is a critical requirement for sustainable peace.”
We all know of the difficult days ahead, the global and local economy is struggling and looks get worse before it has any chance of getting better. There are many reasons to throw our hands up in the air in frustration and give up. We may feel powerless in our own situations but through prayer we can not only receive strength, we commit our concerns to a higher power, a God that moves in mysterious ways. Hearts can be touched, minds can be changed and relationships can be changed by the power of prayer.
Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever faith journey you travel, you have a space where you worship, where you can join with others to either silently reflect and meditate or actively pray for the nation.
When you pray, please do not just pray for yourself and your families, your village or community. Do not just pray for the people you know and the needs that you have. Remember that as you pray, others whom you may not know, whom you may never meet, may be praying for you. Please pray for all those in positions of community, religious and national leadership.
There is a well known prayer by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr that I would like to share with you:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light, hope and peace.
Until today I had a weekly opinion column, “Off the Wall with Padre James” in The Fiji Times. I received no monetary gratuity from the newspaper and considered his writing as part of his pastoral responsibility. The “Off the Wall” column will not appear in the Fiji Times or any other local publication until the immoral and draconian intimidation of the media by the current regime ceases.
Resurrecting Hope
When some one we love dies, when we are confronted with an uncomfortable truth or when something we have toiled over fails it is very hard to hold on to the hope of a better tomorrow.
For Christians, the crucifixion of Good Friday is not a full-stop but a marker that points to the empty tomb. The redemptive action of Christ on the cross is not complete with out the resurrection.
On Easter Sunday morning I woke my children up while it was still dark. They were sleepy but very excited as this was the first year where they had understood the significance of Easter and were keen to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and, it must be noted, the Easter-Egg hunt that was to follow.
So in the pre-dawn light we gathered at Suva Point; members of Dudley and Wesley Churches, singing hymns of praise to God, to the Risen Lord. Other Christians from different denomination also gathered to worship in word and song, to pray and baptise.
I would like to share with you some excerpts from my Easter Sunday reflection given in the cool sea breeze as dawn broke ushering in the new day and symbolising a new life.
In Luke’s Gospel (24:1-12) we find the women who on being told that Jesus has risen, recall the prophecy and rush to tell the good news to the disciples. We also find the disciples reluctant to believe both the women (an issue that still lingers), as well as the truth. Peter rushes to the tomb but only peeps in and walks away wondering what happened.
What type of people are we then, when faced with the confusing situation that our we find ourselves in? How do we ensure our hope remains resilient in the midst of the storm now brewing?
With the resurrection, Christians can look to a new future, with a new hope which is Jesus Christ. His conquering of sin and death reminds us that the kingdom of God is at hand and that we are citizens of that kingdom, where an eternal constitution has been written in His blood.
My favourite hymn is one that is hardly sung. In the Methodist English Hymnbook it is hymn #900.
“I vow to thee, my country all earthly things above.
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love.
A love that asks no questions, a love that stands the test;
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best.
A love that never falters, a love that pays the price;
a love that makes undaunted, the final sacrifice.
But there’s another country I’ve heard of long ago.
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know.
We may not count her armies; we may not see her king.
Her fortress is a loving heart, her pride is suffering.
And soul by soul and silently, her shining bounds increase.
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.”
Just as the rising sun beckons us to a new day, so the Risen Son beckons us to a new life. In the resurrected Lord we are a new creation.
Let us not be like Peter, spending our days wondering what happened and what will happen. Let us live the commandment of the Risen Lord to love each other as He loves us. Let us spend time expressing our love of God in the love of our neighbours, regardless of how many walls are built between us. Let us gain strength, not in force of arms, but by the power of prayer. And let us share the peace of God with each other in practical ways.
The living Jesus takes hold of our tired lives and breathes into us His power.
He takes hold of our sinful lives and offers a wonderful new beginning through forgiveness.
He takes hold of lives that appear lost and gives them new purpose and meaning even in the most difficult circumstances as we face in Fiji today.
He comes to challenge a selfish world with the possibility of a new beginning which involves love and concern for others.
Despite all the uncertainty that faces this nation, we have two certainties that we can look to: the empty cross on which Jesus died for us; and the empty tomb which tells us that He is not there.
The Resurrection of Jesus may be a once in history event, but that does not mean that resurrection cannot take place in our lives, in our families, in our communities, in our nation and in the world daily. Hope may wither, it may die, but it can always be resurrected. Hope, like love and truth is eternal.
May your week be blessed with light, love, peace and hope.
For Christians, the crucifixion of Good Friday is not a full-stop but a marker that points to the empty tomb. The redemptive action of Christ on the cross is not complete with out the resurrection.
On Easter Sunday morning I woke my children up while it was still dark. They were sleepy but very excited as this was the first year where they had understood the significance of Easter and were keen to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and, it must be noted, the Easter-Egg hunt that was to follow.
So in the pre-dawn light we gathered at Suva Point; members of Dudley and Wesley Churches, singing hymns of praise to God, to the Risen Lord. Other Christians from different denomination also gathered to worship in word and song, to pray and baptise.
I would like to share with you some excerpts from my Easter Sunday reflection given in the cool sea breeze as dawn broke ushering in the new day and symbolising a new life.
In Luke’s Gospel (24:1-12) we find the women who on being told that Jesus has risen, recall the prophecy and rush to tell the good news to the disciples. We also find the disciples reluctant to believe both the women (an issue that still lingers), as well as the truth. Peter rushes to the tomb but only peeps in and walks away wondering what happened.
What type of people are we then, when faced with the confusing situation that our we find ourselves in? How do we ensure our hope remains resilient in the midst of the storm now brewing?
With the resurrection, Christians can look to a new future, with a new hope which is Jesus Christ. His conquering of sin and death reminds us that the kingdom of God is at hand and that we are citizens of that kingdom, where an eternal constitution has been written in His blood.
My favourite hymn is one that is hardly sung. In the Methodist English Hymnbook it is hymn #900.
“I vow to thee, my country all earthly things above.
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love.
A love that asks no questions, a love that stands the test;
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best.
A love that never falters, a love that pays the price;
a love that makes undaunted, the final sacrifice.
But there’s another country I’ve heard of long ago.
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know.
We may not count her armies; we may not see her king.
Her fortress is a loving heart, her pride is suffering.
And soul by soul and silently, her shining bounds increase.
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.”
Just as the rising sun beckons us to a new day, so the Risen Son beckons us to a new life. In the resurrected Lord we are a new creation.
Let us not be like Peter, spending our days wondering what happened and what will happen. Let us live the commandment of the Risen Lord to love each other as He loves us. Let us spend time expressing our love of God in the love of our neighbours, regardless of how many walls are built between us. Let us gain strength, not in force of arms, but by the power of prayer. And let us share the peace of God with each other in practical ways.
The living Jesus takes hold of our tired lives and breathes into us His power.
He takes hold of our sinful lives and offers a wonderful new beginning through forgiveness.
He takes hold of lives that appear lost and gives them new purpose and meaning even in the most difficult circumstances as we face in Fiji today.
He comes to challenge a selfish world with the possibility of a new beginning which involves love and concern for others.
Despite all the uncertainty that faces this nation, we have two certainties that we can look to: the empty cross on which Jesus died for us; and the empty tomb which tells us that He is not there.
The Resurrection of Jesus may be a once in history event, but that does not mean that resurrection cannot take place in our lives, in our families, in our communities, in our nation and in the world daily. Hope may wither, it may die, but it can always be resurrected. Hope, like love and truth is eternal.
May your week be blessed with light, love, peace and hope.
Politics and Truth
We are in the middle of the most significant week for Christians around the world. Holy or Passion Week, runs from Palm Sunday, marking the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem; and Easter Sunday, which marks His resurrection. Between those two Sundays lie betrayal, arrest, torture, humiliation, the excruciating pain of crucifixion, the despair of rejection and finally death. As Christians we believe that Jesus, the Christ – the Messiah, the anointed one, the Son of God – died for our sins and rose again on the third day in triumph over sin and death.
The season of Lent and especially Holy Week tends to be the busiest time for those who serve God in the Church. There are extra services, special prayer meetings and gatherings as Christians use this time to strengthen and renew their spiritual life. This Holy Week, the Dudley Circuit has been focusing on the characters around the cross. On Monday night we reflected on the materialism of Judas, last night we examined the role of Caiaphas – the High Priest, tomorrow in what will be my third service for the day, we will reflect on the denial of Christ by Peter, on Good Friday as we meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we will reflect on those who gambled for His garment. On Easter Sunday those of us from Dudley and Wesley Churches in Suva who can wake up literally at the crack of dawn will join in a special Sunrise worship at Suva Point. All are welcome to attend the Holy Week services tonight and tomorrow night at 7pm and on Friday at 9am and the Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at Suva Point beginning at 6am.
Among the themes of betrayal, greed, persecution, suffering and redemption, today’s “character around the cross” and theme focus on “Pilate: Truth and Politics”.
In his book, “Characters around the Cross” Tom Houston writes about Pilate:
“His character was generally regarded as coarse, tactless and very obstinate. These are not dissimilar to the characteristics you find in people who are thrust into positions of authority which exceed their natural ability.”
Of course Pilate did some good things, building an aqueduct to bring water into the city. However he chose to pay for it with part of the Temple tax. This caused a riot and he sent his own people in plain clothes, with clubs and daggers, and many were killed in the stampede. The story of Pilate and Jesus is the story of a man desperate to hold onto his power and before him, the Saviour who is the exact opposite in nature. It makes the words of Philippians 2: 6-8 even more meaningful. Houston comments, “There you have two people: Pilate with the rank to which he never should have risen and Jesus with the rank to which he should never have descended.
The issue of truth and politics resonates two thousand years later and thousands of kilometres away from Palestine/Israel. In Pilate we can see the characteristics of many of those who struggle to maintain or attain power in our nation.
In light of the intimidation and veiled and overt threats made against those who have committed to speak truth to the unjust power structures that shape our nation, we recall that in response to the Jesus’ statement that he had come to speak about the truth, Pilate responded, “What is truth?” It seems that this is the same question that the Pilates of Fiji ask today.
Hannah Arendt writes that the politics of the lie we experience today day is very different than the traditional political lie. No longer is the lie a necessity in diplomacy and statecraft to protect secrets or intentions that had never been made public or could not be made public. The modern political lie deals not at all with secrets but what is generally known. According to Arendt, “All these lies, whether their authors know it or not, harbour an element of violence; organized lying always tends to destroy whatever it has decided to negate, although only totalitarian governments have consciously adopted lying as a first step to murder.”
Today it is not only the political lie we have to contend with but also that issues of security and public order may be used obstruct the process of truth-telling.
The American theologian Stanley Hauerwas writes: “In order to expose the small as well as the big lies a community must exist that has learned to speak truthfully to one another. That community, moreover, must know that to speak truthfully to one another requires the time granted through the work of forgiveness. Such patient timefulness is a gift from the God the community believes has given us all the time we need to care for the words we speak to one another. Any politics absent such a people quite literally is doomed to live lies that are the breeding ground of violence.”
Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
May the rest of your Holy Week be blessed with love, light, peace and courage to live as truthful community.
The season of Lent and especially Holy Week tends to be the busiest time for those who serve God in the Church. There are extra services, special prayer meetings and gatherings as Christians use this time to strengthen and renew their spiritual life. This Holy Week, the Dudley Circuit has been focusing on the characters around the cross. On Monday night we reflected on the materialism of Judas, last night we examined the role of Caiaphas – the High Priest, tomorrow in what will be my third service for the day, we will reflect on the denial of Christ by Peter, on Good Friday as we meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we will reflect on those who gambled for His garment. On Easter Sunday those of us from Dudley and Wesley Churches in Suva who can wake up literally at the crack of dawn will join in a special Sunrise worship at Suva Point. All are welcome to attend the Holy Week services tonight and tomorrow night at 7pm and on Friday at 9am and the Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at Suva Point beginning at 6am.
Among the themes of betrayal, greed, persecution, suffering and redemption, today’s “character around the cross” and theme focus on “Pilate: Truth and Politics”.
In his book, “Characters around the Cross” Tom Houston writes about Pilate:
“His character was generally regarded as coarse, tactless and very obstinate. These are not dissimilar to the characteristics you find in people who are thrust into positions of authority which exceed their natural ability.”
Of course Pilate did some good things, building an aqueduct to bring water into the city. However he chose to pay for it with part of the Temple tax. This caused a riot and he sent his own people in plain clothes, with clubs and daggers, and many were killed in the stampede. The story of Pilate and Jesus is the story of a man desperate to hold onto his power and before him, the Saviour who is the exact opposite in nature. It makes the words of Philippians 2: 6-8 even more meaningful. Houston comments, “There you have two people: Pilate with the rank to which he never should have risen and Jesus with the rank to which he should never have descended.
The issue of truth and politics resonates two thousand years later and thousands of kilometres away from Palestine/Israel. In Pilate we can see the characteristics of many of those who struggle to maintain or attain power in our nation.
In light of the intimidation and veiled and overt threats made against those who have committed to speak truth to the unjust power structures that shape our nation, we recall that in response to the Jesus’ statement that he had come to speak about the truth, Pilate responded, “What is truth?” It seems that this is the same question that the Pilates of Fiji ask today.
Hannah Arendt writes that the politics of the lie we experience today day is very different than the traditional political lie. No longer is the lie a necessity in diplomacy and statecraft to protect secrets or intentions that had never been made public or could not be made public. The modern political lie deals not at all with secrets but what is generally known. According to Arendt, “All these lies, whether their authors know it or not, harbour an element of violence; organized lying always tends to destroy whatever it has decided to negate, although only totalitarian governments have consciously adopted lying as a first step to murder.”
Today it is not only the political lie we have to contend with but also that issues of security and public order may be used obstruct the process of truth-telling.
The American theologian Stanley Hauerwas writes: “In order to expose the small as well as the big lies a community must exist that has learned to speak truthfully to one another. That community, moreover, must know that to speak truthfully to one another requires the time granted through the work of forgiveness. Such patient timefulness is a gift from the God the community believes has given us all the time we need to care for the words we speak to one another. Any politics absent such a people quite literally is doomed to live lies that are the breeding ground of violence.”
Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
May the rest of your Holy Week be blessed with love, light, peace and courage to live as truthful community.
Speaking Softly vs Carrying a Big Stick
There are days when I look at my children and think about how, as “fruit-salads” (much more pleasant to the ear than their political correct ethnic label of “Indo-Kailoma-Chinese-I Kiribati-Samoan-Fijian”) their dealings with their relatives on both sides as they grow will be filled with the complexities of not just the Parliament of Fiji but the Pacific Islands forum.
Every week they engage with cousins, aunties and uncles and grandpas, nanas, nanis, and the odd papa-dada who speak to them in a variety of accents and languages. Yet despite all of that communication is able to take place, with meanings and symbols understood and relationships created and nurtured.
It is then surprising and worrying to some extent that there seems to be some serious misunderstandings when it comes to political parties, NGOs, CSOs, the military and maybe even the Church and the media defining terms such as “dialogue”, “forum”, “peace” “reconciliation” and “democracy”.
I believe it is not just a matter of which dictionary is picked up when discussing these terms. Perhaps it is that the definitions are used in different contexts. A peace enforced by weapons and the threat of violence may be acceptable to the military but not to the Church or NGOs. By the same token a democratic government in which some parties such as the SDL are banned from participating in may also be acceptable to the military but not to the political parties – certainly not the SDL. Reconciliation and forgiveness cannot take place if amnesties are given beforehand. A true dialogue cannot take place where only one party’s issues are discussed, or when both parties are less interested in listening to what each other has to say than waiting for their chance to speak. A forum which excludes representation of the minorities and marginalised of society can never hope to have the mandate of all the people.
When my children and their relatives communicate, they may struggle but the love that they have for each other enables that communication to happen, no matter how long it takes for the message or ideas to get through. Because both parties are open to each other: recognising, respecting and in this case loving each other, they make the effort to understand and be understood.
This is true communication: speaking out of love. When concerned citizens and organisations speak to each other on issues of justice and peace, they speak out of love. Clearly those who speak out of their concern may not speak out of love for the military junta, but it needs to be acknowledged that they are speaking on behalf of the people they love and because they love their country.
It can not be denied that there are those who speak out of love for themselves or their positions but such shallow loves never resonate or ring true.
Last Friday, I was saddened to hear the comments of the acting Commander of the RFMF on the radio. Colonel Driti’s terse voice was warning people who make statements that are perceived to be “anti-Military”. If only these statements and many like them were received in the same spirit in which they were made.
Perhaps the acting Commander has translated the old adage of “children are meant to be seen and not heard,” into “political parties, NGO’s and concerned citizen’s are not meant to be heard or they will no longer be seen.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in The Cost of Discipleship writes:
“The followers of Jesus have been called to peace. But when he called them they found their peace. But know they are told that they must not only have peace but make it. And to that end they renounce all violence and tumult. In the cause of Christ nothing is to be gained by such methods. His kingdom is one of peace, and the mutual greeting of his flock is a greeting of peace. His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering themselves rather than inflict it on others. They maintain fellowship where others would break it off. They renounce all self-assertion, and quietly suffer in the face of hatred and wrong. In so doing they overcome evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate. But nowhere will that peace be more manifest than when they meet the wicked in peace and are ready to suffer at their hands. The peacemakers will carry the cross with their Lord, for it was on the cross that peace was made. Now that they are partners in Christ’s work of reconciliation, they are called the sons of God as he is the Son of God.”
This may be the exit strategy the RFMF seeks. It is certainly better than waving a big stick.
Every week they engage with cousins, aunties and uncles and grandpas, nanas, nanis, and the odd papa-dada who speak to them in a variety of accents and languages. Yet despite all of that communication is able to take place, with meanings and symbols understood and relationships created and nurtured.
It is then surprising and worrying to some extent that there seems to be some serious misunderstandings when it comes to political parties, NGOs, CSOs, the military and maybe even the Church and the media defining terms such as “dialogue”, “forum”, “peace” “reconciliation” and “democracy”.
I believe it is not just a matter of which dictionary is picked up when discussing these terms. Perhaps it is that the definitions are used in different contexts. A peace enforced by weapons and the threat of violence may be acceptable to the military but not to the Church or NGOs. By the same token a democratic government in which some parties such as the SDL are banned from participating in may also be acceptable to the military but not to the political parties – certainly not the SDL. Reconciliation and forgiveness cannot take place if amnesties are given beforehand. A true dialogue cannot take place where only one party’s issues are discussed, or when both parties are less interested in listening to what each other has to say than waiting for their chance to speak. A forum which excludes representation of the minorities and marginalised of society can never hope to have the mandate of all the people.
When my children and their relatives communicate, they may struggle but the love that they have for each other enables that communication to happen, no matter how long it takes for the message or ideas to get through. Because both parties are open to each other: recognising, respecting and in this case loving each other, they make the effort to understand and be understood.
This is true communication: speaking out of love. When concerned citizens and organisations speak to each other on issues of justice and peace, they speak out of love. Clearly those who speak out of their concern may not speak out of love for the military junta, but it needs to be acknowledged that they are speaking on behalf of the people they love and because they love their country.
It can not be denied that there are those who speak out of love for themselves or their positions but such shallow loves never resonate or ring true.
Last Friday, I was saddened to hear the comments of the acting Commander of the RFMF on the radio. Colonel Driti’s terse voice was warning people who make statements that are perceived to be “anti-Military”. If only these statements and many like them were received in the same spirit in which they were made.
Perhaps the acting Commander has translated the old adage of “children are meant to be seen and not heard,” into “political parties, NGO’s and concerned citizen’s are not meant to be heard or they will no longer be seen.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in The Cost of Discipleship writes:
“The followers of Jesus have been called to peace. But when he called them they found their peace. But know they are told that they must not only have peace but make it. And to that end they renounce all violence and tumult. In the cause of Christ nothing is to be gained by such methods. His kingdom is one of peace, and the mutual greeting of his flock is a greeting of peace. His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering themselves rather than inflict it on others. They maintain fellowship where others would break it off. They renounce all self-assertion, and quietly suffer in the face of hatred and wrong. In so doing they overcome evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate. But nowhere will that peace be more manifest than when they meet the wicked in peace and are ready to suffer at their hands. The peacemakers will carry the cross with their Lord, for it was on the cross that peace was made. Now that they are partners in Christ’s work of reconciliation, they are called the sons of God as he is the Son of God.”
This may be the exit strategy the RFMF seeks. It is certainly better than waving a big stick.
Molotov Cocktails
I really am not sure what was more worrying in the news this long weekend, the fact that there were firebomb attacks, or that by describing the contents of the firebomb in detail, the media unwittingly gave everyone who wants to know, terrorists and inquisitive children alike, the know-how to produce this dangerous and easily manufactured weapon.
The firebomb, commonly known as a Molotov Cocktail was used as early as 1915 by Taiwanese rebels fighting the Japanese; by Spanish nationalists under General Francisco Franco fighting the Soviet-supported Spanish Republicans during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930’s and received its name when the Finnish Army fought the Soviet Red Army in the Winter War of 1939. At that time the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union was Vyacheslav Molotov.
The Molotov Cocktail has been identified with resistance movements, anarchists and riots against the establishment ever since, which is why I find its attempted use over the weekend so worrying. It is a symbol not just of resistance but of frustration. The choice of targets, the deafening silence from the ensconced establishment most familiar with this type of device is sending mixed signals at a time when the leaders of this nation are preparing for the biggest exercise in trust since the Deuba Accord of 1987, which once achieved was promptly betrayed.
So the message seems to be, “Speak out against us and we’ll get you.” However, the “us” seems to be less concerned with the fact that they are not the only ones being spoken of. Speaking truth to power means that all who are in positions of power are held accountable by the people.
The prophets of the Judeo-Christian tradition spoke truth to those who held and abused religious, political, military and economic power. They were persecuted and yet continued to speak for they felt called by God to do so, uttering the prophetic statement, “Thus saith the Lord…”
I am not suggesting that all journalists, pro-democracy activists and concerned citizens are divinely inspired, although that would be a wonderful breakthrough. So far the only the Police Commissioner has made that claim. However they express their faith or spirituality, these people have been moved by reason, morality, compassion, a sense of justice, the zeitgeist, or have discerned by reflection and prayer to speak at a time when others are honestly, to afraid to do so. They speak out of love for this country. They need the support of the community to whom and for whom they speak.
The old adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” does not hold true anymore. We all know that words can hurt as well as heal. However we are also learning that those who are hurt by words can use sticks, stones and firebombs. Even more worrying is that this is what our children are learning.
Bob Cass offers a lesson in how to fight so that everyone wins.
“Healthy relationships aren't conflict free; they're conflict resolving. The problem is: we fight for victories instead of fighting for solutions. The result is: one wins, one loses, and the relationship suffers! Here are some practical insights for fighting so that the relationship wins:
Firstly, differences are inevitable, normal, and potentially beneficial. They're inevitable, because relationships bring together very different people. They're normal, because all relationships, including great ones, experience them. They're potentially beneficial because, handled effectively, relationships grow through them.
Here are three conflicting handling styles:
(a) The avoid style. These are the 'don't want to rock the boat' and 'let sleeping dogs lie' people. They fear confrontation, so they bury their feelings, not realising they're buried alive and will rise again down the road. They go from clam-up, to build-up, to blow-up, inviting physical and emotional illness. Meanwhile offenses accumulate, unaddressed issues multiply and unfinished business erodes the relationship.
(b) The attack style. These are the 'get them before they get you' people; ruthless fighters who refuse to give in, they inflict terminal wounds on each other.
The Bible says, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other" (Gal 5:15 NIV). Attack leads to counterattack, both sides 'dig in' and nothing gets resolved.
(c) The approach-assert style. These are the 'no price is too high for a good relationship' people. They're sensitive to the feelings of others, yet insist on dealing directly with important issues. They avoid blaming, confront the issue, not the individual, and invite others to partner with them in solving the problem and saving the relationship!
To the perpetrators of the fire-bombings and other violent acts of intimidation, please remember this: As long as you hate your enemy, a jail door is closed and a prisoner is taken. But when you try to understand and release your foe from your hatred, then the prisoner is released and that prisoner is you.
May the rest of your week be blessed with he courage to speak the truth in love and the peace to hear and accept the truth.
The firebomb, commonly known as a Molotov Cocktail was used as early as 1915 by Taiwanese rebels fighting the Japanese; by Spanish nationalists under General Francisco Franco fighting the Soviet-supported Spanish Republicans during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930’s and received its name when the Finnish Army fought the Soviet Red Army in the Winter War of 1939. At that time the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union was Vyacheslav Molotov.
The Molotov Cocktail has been identified with resistance movements, anarchists and riots against the establishment ever since, which is why I find its attempted use over the weekend so worrying. It is a symbol not just of resistance but of frustration. The choice of targets, the deafening silence from the ensconced establishment most familiar with this type of device is sending mixed signals at a time when the leaders of this nation are preparing for the biggest exercise in trust since the Deuba Accord of 1987, which once achieved was promptly betrayed.
So the message seems to be, “Speak out against us and we’ll get you.” However, the “us” seems to be less concerned with the fact that they are not the only ones being spoken of. Speaking truth to power means that all who are in positions of power are held accountable by the people.
The prophets of the Judeo-Christian tradition spoke truth to those who held and abused religious, political, military and economic power. They were persecuted and yet continued to speak for they felt called by God to do so, uttering the prophetic statement, “Thus saith the Lord…”
I am not suggesting that all journalists, pro-democracy activists and concerned citizens are divinely inspired, although that would be a wonderful breakthrough. So far the only the Police Commissioner has made that claim. However they express their faith or spirituality, these people have been moved by reason, morality, compassion, a sense of justice, the zeitgeist, or have discerned by reflection and prayer to speak at a time when others are honestly, to afraid to do so. They speak out of love for this country. They need the support of the community to whom and for whom they speak.
The old adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” does not hold true anymore. We all know that words can hurt as well as heal. However we are also learning that those who are hurt by words can use sticks, stones and firebombs. Even more worrying is that this is what our children are learning.
Bob Cass offers a lesson in how to fight so that everyone wins.
“Healthy relationships aren't conflict free; they're conflict resolving. The problem is: we fight for victories instead of fighting for solutions. The result is: one wins, one loses, and the relationship suffers! Here are some practical insights for fighting so that the relationship wins:
Firstly, differences are inevitable, normal, and potentially beneficial. They're inevitable, because relationships bring together very different people. They're normal, because all relationships, including great ones, experience them. They're potentially beneficial because, handled effectively, relationships grow through them.
Here are three conflicting handling styles:
(a) The avoid style. These are the 'don't want to rock the boat' and 'let sleeping dogs lie' people. They fear confrontation, so they bury their feelings, not realising they're buried alive and will rise again down the road. They go from clam-up, to build-up, to blow-up, inviting physical and emotional illness. Meanwhile offenses accumulate, unaddressed issues multiply and unfinished business erodes the relationship.
(b) The attack style. These are the 'get them before they get you' people; ruthless fighters who refuse to give in, they inflict terminal wounds on each other.
The Bible says, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other" (Gal 5:15 NIV). Attack leads to counterattack, both sides 'dig in' and nothing gets resolved.
(c) The approach-assert style. These are the 'no price is too high for a good relationship' people. They're sensitive to the feelings of others, yet insist on dealing directly with important issues. They avoid blaming, confront the issue, not the individual, and invite others to partner with them in solving the problem and saving the relationship!
To the perpetrators of the fire-bombings and other violent acts of intimidation, please remember this: As long as you hate your enemy, a jail door is closed and a prisoner is taken. But when you try to understand and release your foe from your hatred, then the prisoner is released and that prisoner is you.
May the rest of your week be blessed with he courage to speak the truth in love and the peace to hear and accept the truth.
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