Cairns Emmanuel Uniting Church

1. Is Hedley still the minister at Emmanuel?

Yes! He still strongly feels called to be the Minister of the Word at Emmanuel. The Emmanuel Congregation continue to affirm this call. Noting also, "The Presbytery Consultation Team affirms the continuation of the call of Rev. Dr. Hedley Fihaki in the Cairns Emmanuel Congregation" (19/20 June 2009). The termination of the placement is rejected by the Congregation not only because the Synod made such a serious and unprecedented action without lawful consultation and due process, but it also failed to engage with the question of "Calling". 

2. What did he do wrong?

On the 30th March 2010, the Presbytery Leadership Team (NQ Presbytery) sent a formal letter requesting that Hedley apologise to the Moderator, Rev. Bruce Johnson, for publicly defying a directive of the Property Trust Officer and by doing this, PLT says, Hedley has failed to comply with the principles in the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice for Ministers in the UCA and has thus  wilfully failed to comply with the lawful directive of the moderator (Reg. 7.8.2b).  

Because Hedley did not apologise in this format, a formal complaint was made out against him through a law firm, by the General Secretary of the Qld Synod on behalf of the Synod Standing Committee to the Synod Committee for Discipline on the 14 June 2010.

On the 23rd March 2011 the Discipline Committee found Hedley guilty of these charges (except for failing to apologise, as they recognised that an apology is a personal matter and can't be forced) and suspended him for three months immediately.

During the three months, Hedley worked with a mentor, wrote a 10, 000 word paper on The Polity of the Church and faced a panel.  After the three 3 months, the Synod Committee for Discipline, on advice from the Panel, terminated Hedley's placement at Cairns Emmanuel effective immediately.   Placement was terminated without any reason. 

3. How did this all start? 

Refer to "Good Samaritan - Summary of Situation". 

4. What crime did he commit?

Refer question two and also Good Samaritan Summary of Situation: 

"The Synod and Presbytery have not taken into account the important principle that compels both the congregation and Hedley to make a stand on this issue. They believed with utter conviction that it would have been morally wrong to refuse to house the ten homeless people in premises that had been certified as safe and insurable by qualified persons. They could not in good conscience bring themselves to cast them out into the street from which they had rescued them. One would have thought that councils of a Church that has always regarded social justice and solidarity with the disadvantaged as gospel-based imperatives, would have commended Hedley for  his actions, not punished him."

5. Why is the punishment so severe? 

"Punishment" is so severe simply because the process has been all about 'punishment', not 'discipline'. There is a big difference between the two. The lack of openness and transparency in this matter, as opposed to it being an open, reciprocal, educational process of learning in order to correct the so called 'wrong' behaviour in a pastorally caring, Christ like manner, highlights why we strongly believe that this has always been about 'punishment, not discipline. 

6. Why has Hedley made the decision he has?

Refer to Hedley's statement on "Minister - reaffirming God's Calling".

7. Why has Emmanuel congregation rejected the synod decision?

Because Synod and Presbytery have made their decisions without lawful consultation and due process, and without providing a full understanding of the reasons for taking such a serious and unprecedented action. The Church Council and Congregation were left out of this whole process; for example, they even appointed a replacement minister when Hedley was suspended for 3 months, without  advising or consulting the CC or the congregation. 

8. Why were the congregation left out of the decision making?

Great Question. We look forward to an answer from Synod or Presbytery. The Polity of the UCA clearly says that the UCA is governed by inter-related councils. That is, each council is of 'equal importance' and they must talk and consult with each another. The UCA is not a hierarchical church.  Sadly, in this matter, the Church Council and Congregation have been treated as "non-entities" and were even given legal advice from Synod to suggest this. 

9. Is the congregation going to be thrown out also for the stand they took? 

The problem has been that Synod and Presbytery have been continually trying to 'divide and conquer', that is, trying to separate a minister and a congregation who continue to be of one mind and one heart on this matter. This action has been unjust to say the least.  And, NO the Synod cannot throw the congregation out. It cannot do anything to the congregation, hence, why it knows that the only way of punishing the congregation for its actions also is to also punish its minister.  It would be another sad day for the UCA if it proceeded to try and forcefully evict a congregation from its property in the same way it forcefully evicted the Good Sam residents 2 days before Christmas in  2009 through a real estate agent and with police involvement. 

10. Why have presbytery and synod been unable to answer any of the congregations questions in relation to this issue?  

The fact that absolutely no answers have come from Synod and Presbytery, even after emailing them our questions and being offered assurance that they will answer them, highlights the fact that there is simply a lack of transparency in this whole process. The extremely high level of confidentiality and secrecy in this matter simply fosters an environment of distrust and broken relationships.  

11. What’s going to happen now? 

We have sought legal advice regarding 'unfair dismissal' and will make further decisions once this advice comes in. We have also put in place a communication strategy to better inform the wider Church and community regarding our story. We continue to pray that God will guide us step-by-step and will lead us to a path where His glory and His glory alone will be revealed. 

12. Why was Good Sam evicted?

Refer Good Sam summary. 

13. Why should I go to church if this is the way that they treat their minister or treat one of their own?

This is a good question and particularly sad when people in the wider community are also saying similar things.  But, we must continue to be United in Christ, seek His Will and purpose in all things  and press forward along the path that God leads us through.