LENT – A TIME OF REFLECTION AND SELF-EXAMINATION THE Lenten season provides Christians with a perfect opportunity to reflect on their actions, put matters right and begin life anew, says Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae. And it is a time to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. “In the case of Fiji as the nation prepares for a fresh start and elections in September, it is pertinent for all leaders – religious and secular – to recognize that much hurt has occurred throughout our history,” Rev Pihaatae said. “If we merely push ahead without addressing the hurt and division, these festering problems can come back to haunt us in future. “With deep humility, may the PCC suggest that during Lent, all Christian churches take the time to go through the process of healing, of seeking forgiveness, of forgiving others? “Let us open this process to people of all faiths who call Fiji their home.” Rev Pihaatae said the late Methodist Church President, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, had proposed ritual washing of the feet in all divisions and churches as the beginning of the healing process. “We must wash the feet of our friends – literally and figuratively – during Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday (March 5), difficult as the process may be,” Rev Pihaatae said. He said reconciliation was a three-fold process: Realisation that a wrong had been committed, expressing remorse, making right through appropriate actions. Rev Pihaatae said the message of reconciliation and forgiveness was applicable throughout the region, especially in Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), West Papua and Kanaky (New Caledonia) where people struggled for self-determination. Other communities affected include the people of the Northern Pacific – affected by nuclear testing in the 1950s – and low-lying atolls affected by climate change. “The PCC wishes all people of the Pacific a meaningful and blessed Lenten season,” Rev Pihaatae said. For further details please contact: Reverend Francois Pihaatae, General Secretary, PCC, 4 Thurston Street, Suva. T 679-3311277 M 679-9292184 e [email protected] or fpihaatae@yahoo Or Netani Rika, PCC Communications Desk, 4 Thurston Street, Suva. T 679-3311277 M 679-9990439 e [email protected] or netrika66@gmail Skype: fjjourno
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 03:50:20 +0000
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