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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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).
Sources
Donna Meyer says
This apostasy is spreading like a plague. Soon underground churches will be sprouting up all around the world.
Everett says
The ecumenical movement is sinking lower every day.
Betty McAllister says
The lady pastor 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.” AMEN – and that is what we should all be doing. Then comes the mighty HOWEVER, and I suspect this was said by Pastor Roman, “There is noting wrong with being friendly and praying with others,” God calls us to be intercessors. So we must look at both sides of this issue. “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.”
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. What is happening here is, ” is known as ‘religious syncretism,’ and it entails mixing the worship of our true God with false beliefs and practices.” What looks innocent and sounds innocent , as in this case, is a playground for spiritual disaster.
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God.” Hosea 14:1.”
Shabany Angolwishe says
Ecumenism, we are witnessing apostasy on a global scale. Despite what is going on, the Lord has not abandoned His people. The church needs to awake to the fact that sealing occurs at a time when the spirituality of the church has declined.
Ezekiel 8 clearly portrays the condition of the church just before sealing (marking) commences in the church.
The true church however will never fall. It will never become Babylon!
Teresa Hurd says
“Ezekiel 9 will be literally fulfilled” Thank you for bringing it to the light of day. Also, the sealing for the church could well be going on at this very time and needs focus to be put on it. So, thank you very much!
Micaela says
We are Seventh-day Adventists
The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind. Like an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. – {FLB 304.5}
Helene says
In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention. – {9T 19.1}
Margo says
So sad to see. We need to keep our eyes fixed on our mission.
Eric says
When we join in ecumenism we begin to think just them.
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side.” Great Controversy 608
Cassie says
This is why we shouldn’t be joining. Thanks for sharing.
Isiah says
This is amalgamation as is confusion, Babylon!
Lynell says
It is impossible to be Adventist, Catholic, Protestant, and Mormon at the same time.
“There is as great a difference in our faith and that of nominal professors, as the heavens are higher than the earth.” {Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2, page 300}
Louis says
This event was nationally televised. Rome knows what they are doing. It’s called indoctrination.
Maybell says
Thanks for sharing. The churches are uniting just as the prophecies said they would.
Willy says
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?“ Amos 3:3
Debrah says
The end result of this ecumenical movement is that everyone is OK and all will be saved anyways. This diminishes the need of the 3 angels message because everyone is already going to heaven.
marie Louisy says
Apocalypse 14:12 dit ceci,C’est ici la persévérance des saints,qui gardent les commandements de Dieu et la foi de Jésus.Mais aussi 2 groupes les brebis,et les boucs,Dieu nous fait encore grâce de choisir d’être dans le camp des brebis.
Kris says
Don’t they know how ridiculous this is to try to embrace all the faiths. This may be political and popular but it’s not biblical.
Richie says
This is so sad.