Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Rev. Mataio Failauga who has pastored the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) in Fagamalo since 2018 — was unanimously confirmed as a member of the American Samoa Student Financial Aid board during Tuesday’s Senate session. His confirmation hearing and vote is pending in the House.

According to the governor’s nomination letter to Fono leaders, Rev. Failauga is a graduate of Leone High School and a U.S Navy veteran, retiring in September 1999. Thereafter he attended Kanana Fou Theological Seminary from June 2006 to 2010.

During the nominee’s 15-minute Senate confirmation hearing, Sen. Muagututi’a Tauoa asked Rev. Failauga whether his church ministerial duties will interfere when called upon by the scholarship board for meetings and other duties — especially when an emergency situation emerges from his church or a church member of his congregation.

Rev. Failauga responded that in any job, he believes there are always difficulties and other issues to deal with. But with the help of the Heavenly Father, nothing is impossible, he said.

Muagututi’a noted that the CCCAS has an approved resolution in place, which are rules that prohibit church ministers and their wives to work in government.

He asked whether that resolution remains in effect or not. Rev. Failauga responded that he cannot recall if the church has such a resolution.

Other senators who spoke during the hearing praised the nominee and thanked the governor for appointing a church minister to this board. Sen. Satele Lili’o Aliita’i praised Rev. Failauga for his 21-years of services in the U.S Army.

(Samoa News notes that this is not the first time that an ordained church minister has been appointed and confirmed by the Fono to this board over the past years.)

Sen. Tuiagamoa Tavai said he doesn’t believe Rev. Failauga’s ministerial work will interfere with the appointment to the board. Additionally, he believes that a church minister on the board is good.

Sen. Malaepule Saite Moliga pointed out that the governor’s appointments to ASG boards are not permanent posts, and that members are only called upon when needed for meetings and other duties.