Plurality of Religions. Fiji is not just multi-racial with the presence of the native Fijians (iTaukei – 475, 739), Indo – Fijians (313,798), Chinese (4,704), Europeans (2,953), Rotumans (10,335), Part-European (10,771) and other Pacific Islanders (15,331) but here also exist a plurality of religions among the different racial groups but also within the different groups, too. The largest populations by race are the iTaukei and the Indo-Fijians.[1]
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| Children of Fiji |
The 2007 Census revealed that in that year 539,536 Fijians are Christians; 233,393 are Hindus; 52,520 are Muslims; 2,577 are Sikhs; 2,172 are of other religions and about 7,703 implied to have no religion. A closer look at the data shows that the Catholics are a minority in the Christian group at only 14 percent. A more detailed data but outdated (1996) revealed that most of the iTaukei are Christians mostly Methodist (261,972) and only 52,163 are Catholics. Amongst the Indo-Fijians the population is largely Hindu (Sanatan – 193,061), Muslim (Ahmadya – 32,082) and also Christian. Out of the 20,719 Christians: 5,432 are Methodists and 3,520 are Catholics. Faith has many colors, too.
Pertinent Issues and Questions: How do we respond to the plurality of religions? What is mission? What is our mission then to promote the Gospel, convert people or engage in dialogue with these religions? How? One Catholic asked me what is the Catholic Church in relation with the other religions. How to engage with peoples of other religions? What is authentic dialogue? One important aspect I want to examine is the aspect of reconciliation in mission – our world is a broken world not just talking about our differences, which could sometimes lead to violence or indifference but also the lost of our relationship with the Creator and in turn with the entire Creation.
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| Sacred Heart Cathedral, Suva, Fiji Islands |
On a more practical issue attending prayer and worship service of other religions, the Hindu in particular. I once attended a “pooja” or prayer service conducted by a Hindu priest to give thanksgiving for the first year death anniversary of their mother. At the end of the service, a girl was going around distributing what seems to be a liquid and later I learned was milk to everyone. When she came to me I asked what is it and she said “pooja” but I just said thanks and refused her. When interacting with other religions, what is allowed when it comes to participating in their different services or rituals?
Inculturation and pastoral application: the use of diya and celebration of the “Diwali” mass. The level of acceptance of certain practices like inculturation of the liturgy with the use of the diya or clay lamp and of the celebration of the “Diwali” mass even if these practices have been approved by the Church vary in the different Indo – Fijian communities in Fiji. There are some communities who welcome the use of the diya and the celebration of the Diwali Mass but there are also groups that opposed it.
I realized real inculturation is not subjecting communities to instructions and practices borrowed or taken from other communities assuming if it works there it can work anywhere. It must grow from within the communities guided and inspired by the Spirit. How is inculturation accepted here in Fiji and what are some examples of these?
[1] All figures taken from Fiji Facts and Figures as at 1st July 2010 by the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics.
Good article Famous Astrologer in Fiji | Pooja Services in Fiji
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