FFKM – Samoela Ranarijaona :express ideas is not dividing

Is the sacred union still within the FFKM, the confederation of Madagascar’s Christian churches? Any alleged union had never been this moral authority’s strength which has been playing such a relevant role in the country’s history that president Marc Ravalomanana turned it into an unofficial institution in his time. “The FFKM is not divided “, said the acting president, Samoela Ranarijaona, from the Anglican church. “People keep on addressing the FFKM since there is still strength in the confederation “, he added. The Anglican bishop claimed that relations within the FFKM are improving.  

Some internal tensions were indeed noticed within the churches’ confederation as well as among believers, namely due to the political crisis. Catholics got the pro-TGV label, as the FJKM got the pro-Ravalomanana one. “The church is free to express its ideas”, said Ranarijaona. The Anglican church’s “political stand” has recently been addressed following the noticed presence of the FFKM’s president during the military parades held inMahamasina.  

“We must make clear and correct distinction. There is a difference between the independence’s 50th aniversary and political quarrels ” argued Samoela Ranarivelo, before specifying that he responded to the armed forces’ invitation favorably, while refraining from attending any other ceremony held on June 26th, 2010. Neither the FFKM nor the Anglicans did send any recognition message to the dictating authorities. “Everything that was achieved by the FFKM was achieved in unity”, on this account, the four churches’ leaders’ presence was necessary.  

The Anglican church’s leader cannot believe that his presence during the parade could have been a cause for such a political interpretation likely to have any link with the arson of Isotry Anatihazo’s church. “Whatever the incentives, one don’t know then, we didn’t see a thing, let’s let the police complete its investigation. We can merely share our sadness and the shock that was ours. It is terrible when one is starting to burn god’s house “.  

Andry Rajoelina’s promised reconstruction support is welcomed without cheers.Ranarivelo believes such a duty to be that of the society and the political class as a whole after such a tragedy. However, he displayed evidences of gratitude towards the state. The building will be rebuilt in whole after having destroyed the ruins. The gesture pledged by Andry Rajoelina is not completely unselfish, now that state finances have to face up to emergency expenses needs in the run of  the elections. The relationship between the State and the Church is, more than ever, part of the constitutional project’s debate.