The Road To Damascus? Frank Bainimarama seeks forgiveness from RFMF circuit of the Methodist Church for anything he had said and done

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday sought forgiveness from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces circuit of the Methodist Church at a farewell and thanksgiving church service in Nabua, Suva.

Speaking at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, he asked church members to forgive him if he had offended them by anything he had said and done. “If you noticed any weaknesses during my time of leadership then I ask for your forgiveness,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

He thanked members of the circuit for supporting him and the military through hard times they faced in the past. He also expressed his appreciation of the contributions made by consecutive military chaplains. He said their spiritual advice, counsel and teachings had assisted him during the upheaval of the past.

“We the military have been blessed that during these tough times, we’ve had some very strong chaplains who stood by us with their helpful advice carrying us through,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

Meanwhile, the RFMF’s chaplain, Reverend Major Joseva Tikonatabua, said even though Commodore Bainimarama was stepping down as Commander they would always support him. “We thank him for leading us through some very challenging times. We thank his service to the people of Fiji,” Rev Tikonatabua said. He said the circuit wished the PM well and the best with his future plans.

Service to the poor

The PM also shared his political party’s manifesto of serving the poor and the needy. “The one thing that my party will stand for is the provision of service to the poor, providing access to clean water, electricity, improved housing and better roads.”

Commodore Bainimarama also reiterated the need to end racism.“We need to stop looking at each other as different races.” He said there was a lot of poverty in the country and that there was need for everyone to look out for and help each other.

Appreciation for PM

Rev Tikonatabua said yesterday that he had been receiving calls from other Methodist ministers showing their appreciation of the PM’s attendance at the funeral service of the late Reverend Dr Tuikilakila Waqairatu. “They were happy and appreciated that the Prime Minister had attended the service despite the sour relations that once existed between the church and the Government. This showed the Prime Minister’s courage, sincerity and integrity,” Rev Tikonatabua said. He said the PM had not only attended in his capacity as a member of the Methodist church but also out of his respect for the late Rev Dr Waqairatu. Source: The Fiji Sun, 24 February 2014

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