Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Marama T-Pole | Presenter
The Rev. Dr. Marie Ropeti-Apisaloma grew up in Samoa’s largest church denomination, the EFKS. A Faifeau’s daughter, she felt a calling to also be a minister. However, with the EFKS church banning women from leadership, she jumped ship to the Presbyterian church and, in 1981, became the first Samoan woman in the NZ Presbyterian Church to be ordained.
Her career work since then has led her throughout the region in many leadership and teaching roles. She has just published a book on the role of women as ministers in the EFKS church, called Nafanua Theology: A Samoan Christian Argument for Women in Ordained Ministry. Marama T-Pole spoke with her to find out more about the book and what she wants to see happen in the EFKS church.
