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Costly Samoa choice 'what the people wanted'

Interior of the new church temple. [Photo: Tipi Autagavaia / RNZI]

The general secretary of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa agrees the newly dedicated $US8.5 million dollar Jubilee church is expensive, but he says it's want the people wanted.

Reverend Vavatau Taufao said it was the decision of the General Assembly which included members of the church in Samoa and abroad.

The Fale Iupeli church building was officially opened on Thursday after more than two years of delays due to financial difficulties.

The general secretary said criticism of the church spending too much on constructing church buildings rather than the welfare of the people was an important matter to be considered.

"It is the people that agreed to build this, even though it is expensive it is their choice. But as General Secretary I believe that this is a living testimony of church prayer," said Reverend Vavatau Taufao.