The Samoa Land and Titles Court has shut down a second ‘’village council’’ at Matautu, Falelatai and denied the formation of the Samoa Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church in the village.
Samoa Observer reports the Court ruled that, while mindful of the freedom of religion afforded under the Constitution, the establishment of a new church would contravene rules limiting the number of churches in a village.
Vice President of the Land and Titles Court, Mulipola Iosefa Mulipola delivered the decision last week which also upheld an interim order, issued by President Fepulea’I Atilla Ropati, to halt the establishment of the “new village” and the new church pending the matter before the court.
“The parties are ordered to meet prior to September 2020 to sort out the issues within the village, to assure there is prosperity, peace and everyone working together for the betterment of the village,” the ruling said.
