Former members of the Tokaikolo Church who split from the body and set up their own congregation, attended memorial services for the late Rev. Dr Liufau Vailea Saulala, Kaniva News has learned.
Dr Saulala, who founded the Tokaikolo church, was a controversial figure whose teachings and behaviour have been blamed for several groups leaving his congregation.
However his son Sangstar, a former MP and Cabinet Minister, said his father was “a silent person” who tolerated any criticism against him.
He said after his death members of the Mo’ui Fo’ou ‘Ia Kalaisi Fellowship, which split from the Tokaikolo Church over Liufau’s leadership, paid tribute to him.
Some of them attended the funeral sermons and prayer services at the church’s Lavengamalie college and shared their memories and stories about Liufau.
“These people were tearful and remembered how Liufau helped them and their living,” Sangstar said.
He said other churches and schools had asked for a time for them to perform prayer services.
Sangstar said his father’s body would be buried in Auckland this week. It was hoped the church’s General Secretary could come from Australia for the funeral.
Rev. Saulala left Tonga just before the border closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March this year. He died in Middlemore Hospital.
Rev. Saulala died just before Lavengamalie college was to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The school was founded on February 6, 1980.
Sangstar said former students of Lavengamalie in New Zealand would celebrate the school’s anniversary this Sunday, December 29.
Former students in Tonga will celebrate it on February 6 next year.
Christ’s University, which Rev. Saulala founded in 2004, has issued a tribute mourning his death.
The university was accredited by the Tonga National Qualification Accreditation Board in 2018.
Rev. Saulala is survived by five sons and one daughter and several adopted children. His wife, Falamoni Naitoko Saulala, died last year.