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Samoan Council of Churches Wants To Limit Entry of New Religions To Country

By Howard M. Friedman

In the South Pacific Ocean nation of Samoa, Congregational Church minister Oka Fau'olo, who is head of the Samoa Council of Churches, says the Council has asked the country's Prime Minister to consider limiting the constitutionally protected freedom of religion in the country. According to Radio New Zealand on Friday, Fau'olo want the government to limit the number of religious groups entering the country. He is concerned that mainstream churches are losing members. Their congregants are converting to small denominations and non-Christian beliefs. Currently the main religious groups in Samoa are the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, the Methodists, Roman Catholics, Latter Day Saints, Assembly of God and Seventh Day Adventist. The prime minister is skeptical about the proposal that would likely require amendment Article 11 of Samoa's Constitution. The limitation is not a new idea. A 2002 Pacific Magazine article reported Fau'olo supported the idea then, although the Samoan Supreme Court had ruled that it was illegal for village councils to forbid the entry into villages of new religious groups.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on December 07, 2008 (boomark / email).