Tonga wants end to violence

TONGA’S churches have condemned violence against women and children as a sin.

A media campaign using videos of Tonga’s church leaders calling for an end to violence against women and children is expected to be launched in early November.

The video campaign is an initiative of the House of Sarah – a programme operated by the Diocese of Polynesia – with technical support from the Pacific Conference of Churches.

A similar campaign was held in Fiji last year.

The central messages of the video are that violence against women and children:

1. Is a sin

2. Is not the way of Christ

3. And that it has no place in Pacific homes.

Tongan leaders who will feature in the video are Revered Dr ‘Ahio of the Free Wesleyan Church, Bishop Dr Afa Vaka of the Diocese of Polynesia and Cardinal Soana Patita Paini Mafii of the Catholic Church.