Chiefs banned in Samoa over attempt to boot out churchman

The high ranking matais of Matautu Falelatai village in Samoa have banished five elderly paramount chiefs.

This came after they tried to terminate the services of the village's pastor, the Reverend Elder Tauti'aga Senara, who is the current chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

The attempt to sack the minister was discussed in an urgent meeting of the village council last Saturday.

But one village chief, Misa Gaga'e, said the majority of the church members and the village opposed the termination.

They said Reverend Senara did nothing wrong.

It was thought the five paramount chiefs had wanted Reverend Senara to support their attempt to remove another minister from the district.

That minister was Reverend Opapo Soana'i, the father of a woman that some believe has stigmata, and who was in Rome to have these marks investigated by the Catholic Church.

The banished paramount chiefs included a former vice president and judge of the Lands and Titles Court, Anae Misa Pita.

 

Photo: Tipi Autagavaia Tipi (Reverend Opapo Soana'i of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa).