Christian state debate

RNZ reports the chancellor of Samoa's Catholic Archdiocese Father Fereti Tautunu said he supports the bill as Christianity has a huge influence in Samoa.

He said while people of other faiths should not be worried by the amendment, it will stop those who create conflict in the name of religion from coming to Samoa.

Reverend Kasiano Leaupepe's remarks were in relation to a Constitutional amendment bill presented for its first reading by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi last week during the last sitting of parliament for 2016.

Reverend Leaupepe told the Samoa Observer the Constitution of Samoa in its preamble already speaks about Samoa being founded on God, based on Christian principles, Samoan customs and tradition.

He said this was sufficient and any further insertions of Christianity into the Constitution are unnecessary.