anglicantaonga

Telling the stories of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, NZ and Polynesia

"We live in a multi-faith community here..."

"Many of our Muslim sisters and brothers have acquaintances and loved ones who lost their lives in this appalling event..." A statement of lament from Archbishop Fereimi Cama, Bishop of Polynesia 

Archbishop Fereimi Cama  |  16 Mar 2019

Ni sa bula Vinaka.

Yesterday's most tragic events that unfolded at the 2 mosques in Christchurch has hit us here in the Pacific Islands, particularly with our Muslim community here in Fiji. Many of our Muslim sisters and brothers have acquaintances and loved ones who lost their lives in this appalling event. I extend our deepest sympathies to the Muslim community as you have once again, been a victim of this senseless act of violence resulting in the loss of life.

We, in the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia unequivocally condemn this act of terrorism. Any loss of life at the hands of extremists regardless of religion, race or colour should be condemned in the strongest of terms. We are the Tikanga Polynesia of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia and we stand with our Anglican sisters and brothers "to respond to this act by rejecting the rhetoric of hatred and religious intolerance, and to show compassion and kindness to all our neighbours who wish to live in the Pacific in peace."

We live in a multi-faith community here in Fiji and in the Pacific and we come together to pray to our God of all peoples and of all cultures for peace, tolerance and good will.

May the victims rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Most Reverend Fereimi Cama

Bishop of Polynesia

Comments