The Methodist Church of Samoa is not wavering on its ban against gambling which includes what has become a favorite fundraising method of other mainline churches in the country, bingo.
The Samoa Observer reports that a branch of the church, Upolu Sasa’e Methodist Churches put forward a notion to the annual Church Conference to allow bingo.
In his request to the conference Rev. Iose Semi asked that the church allow bingo for fundraising to increase and develop their churches.
He pointed out that other denominations are all playing bingo.
The Conference Committee rejected the motion saying that the laws and foundations of the church which were laid by their forefathers are sacred.
Gambling is prohibited in the church’s constitution.
Methodist Church President, Reverend Faulalo Leti, later told the newspaper that the constitution directs everything the church does.
He said the church has a system and a process to be followed and when it is, it works, just like the government.
However, in regards to individual church members engaged in TV bingo and other gambling activities, Rev. Leti said that is the free will of the individual, but the church will not participate in such activities.
The Conference Committee also rejected a request from the Apia Sisifo synod in for salary increases of church employees.
