Fr Damian McNiece is the first Catholic priest to hold the position in the 50 year history of the DCC.

The Catholic Church only became a full member of the council six years ago, when it was invited to be such during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Before that, Protestant churches had objected.

The DCC encourages co-operation between Christian traditions in the city.

Members include patrons and representatives from the Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, the Religious Society of Friends , the Greek, Romanian, Antiochene and Indian Orthodox Churches, as well as the Salvation Army and Christian Aid.

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The chairman of Vanuatu Council of Churches Bishop James Ligo, says the constitution is based on Christian and Melanesian values.

Ligo says he intends to discuss the issue with the government.

"We respect them as human beings. But people have to understand, the government has to understand, how to interpret the right that is theirs as homosexuals and lesbians, and how do we deal with their rights in order not to allow division to come into families, communities, the church, and other organisations as well."

Source

• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: wesh.com

"I do not want to make any comment regarding the LDS membership until the Council meets again on Friday," NCC Secretary Rev. Ma'auga Motu said on Tuesday.

The Mormon headquarters at Pesega refused to comment for the same reason.

Source

• Talamua
• ldschurchtemples.com

"The love of money and the casinos will only drive people further into poverty... People will start to save money to play in the casinos instead of feeding their families," says the Chairman of Samoa's National Council of Churches, Reverend Kasiano Le'aupepe.

"The addiction will become too much; it will result in crime as people start stealing to fuel their addiction. Gambling opens the door to the influx of outsiders who have no fear for God," he said.

The Samoa Observer reports that the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, did not have time to address the concerns expressed by Le'aupepe during an interview in his office last Tuesday.

In an earlier interview Tuilaepa said that the Government was going ahead with plans to build two casinos. One is reportedly planned for Savaii with the second one in Upolu. He said the idea behind the introduction of casinos is firstly to help towards economic growth, and secondly, as an incentive for tourists who enjoy this type of entertainment to come to Samoa.

Source:

• Sunday Samoan
• Image: The Guardian

Alan Nafuki said people are leasing and selling their land to foreigners. "It is like we have forgotten our history," he said. " And that is why, during this meeting, we had a very strong input that we should not sell our land to any foreigner.

"Our laws must be reconsidered by the government and the people of Vanuatu so that we have much tighter laws and tighter policy on land."

Alan Nafuki is from Vanuatu's Presbyterian Church.

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Radio Australia Pacific Beat