Well, I’m definitely feeling the Wellington weather this week. I had all the COVID symptoms but remained negative, I think it was just a culmination of packing up in Auckland, driving down to Wellington in a day, unpacking and then preparation for my induction and hosting my family and friends over a 5-day period, my body decided it was going on strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. But I’m here today Thursday in the office and I feel fine.
I received a Facebook post about ex-MP Louisa Wall’s comments that she hopes that the religious leaders of the Pacific will fight for LGBTQ community and Pacific women to help tackle LGBTQ issues for Pasifika. The person posting posed a question “I wonder how our Pacific Pastors will feel about this request?” Obviously, the person posting is hoping to engender negative responses against Louisa Wall and assumes that “all Pacific” religious leaders will think like him. I returned a comment “at the end of the day we are all created in the image of God” referring to LGBTQ and Pacific women alike, a mild response to get the ball rolling. I’m expecting a tsunami and much stronger defence and debate to ensue. I get so irritated with stereotypical expectations that all Pacific will think the same and support homophobic conservative Christian perspectives when in fact the Pacific and Samoa at that is renown for their inclusive attitude towards the “fa’afafine community”. When we consider LGBTQ from a cultural perspective all is well and inclusive but as soon as you attach a biblical or so-called conservative Christian perspective it becomes judgemental and exclusive. I’m getting tired of the same old, same old cliché’s coming from conservative Christian men who themselves struggle with homophobia because they have they’re own unresolved issues to do with sexuality that they are always “right” and everyone else who thinks differently is “wrong”.
I’m feeling quite passionate about the voices of Pasifika men and women being rescued from the evangelical conservatism of Christianity that can be so judgemental. This is the time for speaking out our truth and stop going with the flow just because it seems the safest way to go. Life is about taking risks and standing up to be heard. Hmmm it feels that I’m in the right place here at St. Andrew’s on the Terrace to begin this risking taking and stepping out. Watch out, here I come!
– Rev. Dr. Fei Taule’ale’ausumai
Click here to read the full E-Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/2cd608245aea/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-8874377
