The change made to the Lord's Prayer by the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church will not affect Samoa's Christian beliefs, says the National Council of Churches (N.C.C.) Deputy Chairman, Reverend Aisoli Iuli.

Last week, the Pope Francis approved a change to one verses in the prayer from “lead us not into temptation” and replaced it with, “do not let us fall into temptation” according to international media reports. 

The change was made due to the Pope's concerns that the original version portrayed God in a false light, as it is actually Satan who is the one leading man astray.

Rev. Aisoli said the changes made in the Vatican City in Rome will not affect other Christian denominations in Samoa because it is only for the Roman Catholic Church.

“The new change will be effective for all the countries in the world because they all listen to the Vatican but this new change will not affect the Christian beliefs of everyone," he said. 

“It does not mean the Council of Churches will be moved by these changes, our role does not have authority over any changes within any church denominations.

“The Lord’s Prayer is not a man’s prayer, Jesus said in the Bible “lead us not into temptation” and that is the prayer he taught his disciples also."

Rev. Aisoli said the men that interpreted the Bible are not ordinary men as they were led by the Holy Spirit - they did not use their own knowledge but was guided by the Spirit’s wisdom.

“But then changes are very important as well in terms of an individual prayer to God not to let us fall into temptation.”