The head of the Catholic Church of Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the church has never said that it wants Fiji to be declared a Christian state.
However, Archbishop Chong said they are concerned about the term secular state as they do not want religious belief to be personal.
Fijivillage also questioned Archbishop Chong what the Catholic Church wants if it says that it does not want Fiji to be a secular state.
We also asked him whether he needs to have discussions on the legal definition of a secular state in the 2013 constitution.
Archbishop Chong also said while the church officials are not allowed to take part in politics, the church has a role to play in assisting its members in making informed decisions.
The 2013 Constitution states that religious liberty as recognized in the Bill of Rights is a founding principle of the state and religious belief is personal.
The constitution said that religion and state are separate which means the state and all persons holding public office must treat all religions equally, the state and all persons holding public office must not dictate any religious belief, that state and all persons holding public office must not prefer or advance any particular religion, religious denomination, religious belief or religious practice over another or over any non-religious belief.
Although the Catholic Church of Fiji head and the Methodist Church of Fiji’s Reverend James Bhagwan have raised concerns about Fiji to be a secular state and that religious belief is personal, Section 22 of the constitution covers freedom of religion, conscience and belief.
The section clearly states that every person has the right to freedom of religion, conscience and belief.
It also said that every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in private or in public, to manifest and practice their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
We don’t want a Christian state – Archbishop
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