March 29, 2022 by Andy Roman Leave a Comment
Catholic and Adventist representatives sit together, second and third from right.
On March 14, 2022, at President Edouard Fritch’s invitation, church and state gathered in French Polynesia’s Presidential palace to celebrate a “Ceremony of Peace.” During a live broadcast to the nation on the internet and television, the island’s major religions came together to pray for peace in Ukraine and Russia. In a show of unity, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Seventh-day Adventists, and Latter-day Saints joined with political leaders to pray. They didn’t just pray for Russia and Ukraine, but also for a “better Polynesia.” [1]
Latter-day Saint representative.
President Edouard Fritch represented the Latter-day Saints and made the following remarks at the “Ceremony of Peace” event:
“My dear brothers and sisters, even when there is no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ. Let us continue to speak and spread peace even in the midst of war. Let’s work together for a better Polynesia, built on the peace of Christ.” [1]
Roman Catholic Church representative.
Then Archbishop Jean-Pierre Cottanceau representing the Roman Catholic Church, made the following remarks:
“Lord God as the roar of arms resounds again among your children, see your children gathered together to implore your help. Your Son came to us as Prince of Peace in order to reconcile men and remove the barrier of hatred which divided them. Give us already this desire to build peace in our hearts, in our families, in our Fenua (country).” [1]
Seventh-day Adventist representative.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church was represented by President Roger Tetuanui, who said the following during the event:
“We are gathered here to express our prayer of intercession for our Ukrainian and Russian brothers and sisters. Prayer is the best weapon of the Christian. In all our uncertainties, the only solution lies in trusting in God’s love and care for us. When fear gives way to trust, peace floods our lives.” [1]
Protestant church representative.
Pastor Hinatea a Marotau, who spoke on behalf of the Protestant church, said:
“Pray for peace in our hearts above all. We send to the peoples of Ukraine and Russia our prayers of compassion and peace of Christ, which passes all understanding.” [1]
President of French Polynesia.
The closing remarks were delivered by Edouard Fritch, a French politician who has served as President of French Polynesia since 2014. He summarized the entire ceremony as follows:
“Tonight, your strength has stimulated our faith to be proud to be Christians. Your messages have been powerful bearers of hope, mighty bearers of peace. I feel like I am Adventist, I am Protestant, I am Catholic, I am Latter-day Saint. Above all, I believe in Christ.”
Is this where the ecumenical path is leading us? The fact that the President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in French Polynesia would attend this ceremony, whose organizer promotes religious syncretism, is an open contradiction to the faith we believe, which we have sworn to faithfully preserve and proclaim. This is a new milestone in ecumenical relationships, as state governments are leading people to participate in interfaith services. Why are we going to these conferences in the first place?
Are these joint prayer sessions bringing the churches closer together into one body? And should we conceal our own unique beliefs in order to accommodate everyone in these interfaith celebrations? There’s nothing wrong with being friendly and praying with others, but engaging in an ecumenical service that says “I am Adventist, Catholic, Protestant and Latter-day Saint” is a completely different story. You can’t blend the Remnant people’s faith with Babylonian wine. This is known as “religious syncretism,” and it entails mixing the worship of our true God with false beliefs and practices.
There is no pretty picture that can be painted to try to downplay the gravity of engaging in modern ecumenism. Through stealth and trickery, ecumenism is taking us down the path to idolatrous rites, pagan worship, spiritualism, Romanism, and religious syncretism—and the evidence is so obvious. The following appeals are so applicable today:
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God.” Hosea 14:1.
“I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men” (Early Writings, p. 124).
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