He was speaking after a Justice and Development Commission Seminar entitled "Reading the Signs of the Times in Fiji - Catholic Social Teaching and Socio-Political Issues".

"There are times when the church will tell village leaders - your ideas are not well founded, your decisions are not right, that needs to be corrected," Chong said.

In particular the Catholic church is concerned about two of the proposed village by-laws that have been distributed for discussion and feedback:

One calls for the establishment of a committee with representatives from the various religious denominations within the village. This is to ensure members of their denominations comply with the decisions of the Village Council and Bose Vanua (council of chiefs) and that traditional and cultural obligations are respected and adhered to.

The other relates to establishing churches in villages. Under the by-laws any request to establish a church should be submitted to the Turaga-ni-Koro (head of the village) to be discussed in the Bose Vanua. The principles and teachings of these churches must be aligned to the iTaukei culture.

Chong warned that no culture was 100 per cent correct and forcing such a legislation was harmful even to the iTaukei.

The seminar's participants included of Catholic politicians, chiefs, clergy, members of the Fiji Council of Churches, lay church leaders and representatives of the non-government organisations.

"The conference is not about telling people what party to vote for or to support a particular party. We are inviting all politicians regardless what party they belong to," Chong said.

It is expected that similar seminars will take place in the Western and Northern Divisions later in the year.

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1. The request must e submitted to the village head man and discussed by the bose vanua (meeting of elders).
2. The teaching and beliefs of the proposed church must be in conformity with the iTaukei and the Crimes Decree.

The new law also requires that every registered village establish a religious committee which will consist of representatives from religious denominations within the village.

This bylaw is one of a number which are being proposed. The Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Naipote Katonitabua disclosed them during the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting in Nausori on October 26.

Katonitabua said there were 20 subtitles of the village by-laws and would include a dress code and attending a village meeting.

The village bylaw is focused on safeguarding traditions and culture within the iTaukei communities, particularly within villages. In accordance with iTaukei Affairs Act, Cap 120, the By Law is enacted to:

• Ensure that traditional leadership is upheld, respected and protected;
• Maintain law and order, harmonious and peaceful living in the village;
• Ensure that hygiene, sanitation and environmental standards are maintained; and
• To preserve, safeguard and strengthen leadership, culture, tradition and the vanua to encourage community responsibility.

Katonitabua said they will ensure everything within a village boundary was regulated.

"Any person may enter the village as an individual but once they come within the boundaries of the village, they are bound by the bylaw," said Katonitabua

Over the next eight months a nationwide consultation to discuss the content of the village by-laws will take place.

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