Holy Week – Parliament – VCC ... etc

Behind The News, Opinion

Vanuatu is founded on traditional Melanesian values, faith in God and Christian principles as stipulated in Vanuatu's national constitution.

A reminder to whole the population of Vanuatu of our last's week's 'Behind the News' column “Where is Vanuatu going?” and or as the late Grace Molisa said in her book 'Wea nao Rod' Where is the road?

Things are moving, socially, economically, politically and religiously, everything is moving around that so often people find themselves at the crossroads, and don't know where exactly they are going...

The National Parliament of Vanuatu has adjourned its extraordinary session for this year Thursday morning that supposed to debate the motion lodged by the Opposition led by the former Prime Minister Edward Natapei, due to lack of quorum.

As required by the parliamentory standing orders, the parliament should resume three days later, and for this case, that falls on Sunday -  Resurrection Day. It will be for the second time now in Vanuatu's political history for the national parliament to meet for a change of government during Easter.

The first change of government happened at Easter in 2002, when Natapei toppled Sope's government. This time again it will be Natapei to test Prime Minister Sato Kilman's government strength.

Sunday, when Christians of this nation will go to church to celebrate Jesus Christ, the Saviour of this world's resurrection, politicians will go to parliament as they are obliged to under the parliamentory governing system.

This should raise major concerns, not only to Vanuatu's Christian Council of Churches (VCCC), but also to all born-again individuals... Is Vanuatu going into a right direction? Vanuatu's direction depends on our leaders, who are decision makers and we, as citizens - are we going to play a responsible role, when we will go back to the poll sometimes in September next year?

An independent observer questioned through The Independent this week, is VCC still functioning? That person has raised the question in relation to a billboard in a public place in the capital city Port Vila concerning a Family Radio's establishment in Vanuatu.

The Independent found that there is no business license yet granted to any such Family Radio in Vanuatu. However The Independent sources claimed that those behind the 'business' are the same ones distributing papers last month around Vila downtown, claiming 'the end of the world' on May 21, next month.

The Holy Scripture says 'No one knows the hour, the time nor the day' – only God knows it.'

In late 70s, Vanuatu's Independence Eve, leaders of this nation have deported a founder of a prominent church that has currently several thousands of members.

That church is running private schools, clinics, engineering and other businesses in Vanuatu. That showed how Vanuatu's then leaders were serious about Vanuatu's internal and religious affairs.

Today no more of this... Why? This question should remind all of us and point all to Vanuatu's Motto 'Long God Yumi Stanap' and to our mama loa (constitution) Vanuatu is based on 'Faith in God and Christian Principles'. WHERE IS VANUATU GOING?