Anglican Church: Archbishop’s Death NOT Caused By Vaccine
The Anglican Diocese of Polynesia has strongly dismissed rumours and statements that have circulated online, claiming that the death of the late Archbishop Fereimi Cama, resulted from him receiving his COVID-19 vaccination.
Diocesan Secretary and Registrar Reverend Sepiuta Hala’api’api, while speaking on behalf of the diocese, said the statements that he died from the vaccine, were incorrect.
“It was brought to our attention that false malicious statements have been posted and reported recently, stating that Archbishop Fereimi Cama had died because of the COVID-19 vaccine. On behalf of the Diocese, I hereby state that these assertions are entirely false,” Reverend Sepiuta said.
“The Facebook posts are now the subject of a complaint to the Online Safety Commission of Fiji.”
Reverend Sepiuta added that the Diocesan Office requests that those spreading these false and malicious rumours respect the memory of the late Archbishop and desist their rumours immediately.
Pacific Conference of Churches reacts
In a statement yesterday, the Pacific Conference of Churches expressed their disappointment at the act by those that have been spreading false information about the death of the late Archbishop.
“The Pacific Conference of Churches hopes the Online Safety Commission of Fiji and other relevant authorities take this complaint from the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia seriously,” the statement said.
“These insensitive comments have inflicted emotional violence on the late Archbishop’s family and the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
“They have also added to the disinformation being spread to Fijians regarding vaccination. This is not the way of Christ.
“Our prayers continue to be with the Late Archbishop Cama’s family, and the Diocese of Polynesia.”
Comments were sought from Online Safety Commission of Fiji and a representative said the commission was investigating the complaint.
Archbishop Cama was ordained as the 7th Bishop (and third archbishop) of Polynesia in 2019 becoming the first iTaukei to shepherd the diocese and to serve as primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia until his passing on Friday July 2, 2021. He was 66-years-old.
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
