Samoa’s caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has played down the rebuking he received from the leader of the Catholic Church in Samoa, Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga.
Instead, the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party thanked the Archbishop for the lessons learned from his sermon delivered at a special Mass last Monday afternoon following his historic meeting with chiefs and orators of Samoa in Apia.
“I felt the spirit of humility and that of forgiveness,” said Tuilaepa when asked by local media.
He said Catholics must not hold ill will towards others before partaking of communion.
“So I walked up and greeted the archbishop before receiving communion,” he added.
The Bishop told Tuilaepa it was time to hand over the reins to others.
He accused Tuilaepa of trying underhanded ways to remain in power and maintain his autocratic rule.
Tuilaepa said like most Christians, he went to look for a spiritual message from the church leaders.
He said the text of the reading reminded him that Jesus came to serve people and not be served.
“That was a strong message for me”.
