Fiji is free from British rule, but the Pacific nation still has the “colonial form of power” and is not yet democratic, according to the country’s archbishop. Source: Crux.
Fiji has a population of nearly a million people, with approximately 83,000 Catholics.
Suva Archbishop Peter Loy Chong issued a statement for the Catholics on Tuesday marking the anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain on October 10, 1970.
“This year, Fiji celebrates 54th Anniversary of independence from British colonial rule,” Archbishop Loy Chong’s statement said.
“What is British colonial rule? What is the form of power?: The British Colonial administration used the ‘indirect rule policy,’ the native rule policy to rule over natives. Through the indirect rule policy, the colonial government incorporated the customary chiefs into the colonial administration,” the archbishop explains.
He said political literature names this form of power as “patron-client” politics.
“Fiji Independence Day should therefore mark, not only the end of British rule but also patron-client politics and a move toward genuine independence,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.
“When Fiji became independent in 1970, the colonial administration had already introduced patron-client politics to the Fijian people. Under the patron-client political framework, the chiefs, the military, senior military officers, and sometimes the Church became the clients of the ruling government.
“We are independent from British rule but we still carry on the colonial form of power and hence, we are not democratic,” the archbishop said.
He said Catholic Social Teaching calls for new forms of governance and true political authority, and the creation of new institutions and practices for managing a new world order.
“The Church wants to build a just society, and it seeks to do so on the solid foundation of four fundamental values: Truth, Freedom, Justice and Love. In its commitment to a just society, the Catholic Church seeks to enhance true democracy in Fiji.”
FULL STORY
Archbishop in Fiji says Pacific island nation is free, but not yet democratic (By Charles Collins, Crux)