The controversial baptism of Prince Ata into the Mormon Church has divided leading figures in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and their supporters.
Hon. Semisi Sika, The President of the Church’s Liahona High School Global Alumni, has lashed out on Facebook, calling the baptism an act of “terrorism,” “attention seeking” and alleging that Prince Ata was bribed.
He said preparations for a baptism were already in place and those involved were waiting to hold it until such time as their Majesties could attend.
He claimed the baptism discredited Their Majesties and degraded the good image of Liahona High School Alumni.
Prince Ata, King Tupou VI’s second son, was about to be baptised in November 2014, but delayed the ceremony after His Majesty intervened. It was decided to delay the ceremony until the king and the queen had completed overseas obligations.
The postponement came after the prince had rejected requests from his Majesty through the royal guards and Tonga’s former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano.
While members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints were looking forward to the baptism, it was revealed the Prince had been baptised in Hawai’i late last month.
Hon. Sika accused those involved in the baptism of not respecting church leaders in Tonga.
He claimed they did not contact the Leader of the Church for the Pacific to find out about the status of the Prince’s baptism.
Hon. Sika claimed there had been bribery involved including paying for the Prince’s air ticket to Hawai’i and purchasing him a new blue van.
Kaniva News understands Hon. Sika’s younger brother ‘Alavini Sika is the president at the Haveluloto’s Mormon Church where the baptism was to be held last year.
The Sikas were close friends of Prince Ata.
Hon. Sika, Chairman of Tonga’s Parliamentary Whole House Committee, accused Vava’u Governor Lord Fulivai of being behind the plan to baptise Prince Ata.
“Why does Lord Fulivai keep silent in Vava’u?” Hon. Sika asked in Tongan.
Supporters of the Prince’s baptism hit back on Facebook.
Loseline Hola Uasike wrote in Tongan: “Why is God’s mission called terrorism? I am afraid Bin Laden was involved with the Church’s work. The cup has been spilled and cannot be collected. This issue should have not been brought to Facebook by church members as it would cause a rift with other churches.”
One commentator, Sitalingi Tovo, claimed on Facebook that an LDS leader in Salt Lake City said those involved in the baptism should be expelled from the Church.
Lord Fulivai did not respond to our request for comments.
The main points
- The controversial baptism of Prince Ata into the Mormon Church has divided leading figures in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and their supporters.
- Semisi Sika, The President of the Church’s Liahona High School Global Alumni, has lashed out on Facebook, calling the baptism an act of “terrorism,” “attention seeking” and alleging that Prince Ata was bribed.
- Prince Ata, King Tupou VI’s second son, was about to be baptised in November 2014, but delayed the ceremony after His Majesty intervened.
- The Prince was baptised in Hawai’i late last month.
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