The church chief was an official in the Durieu system of internal colonization instituted by the Roman Catholic Church. He was the native person appointed by the priest to serve as the representative of the Church in his absence. His primary job was to enforce the church's moral strictures, especially those concerning sexual behaviour. He would impose punishment for offences reported by the neghunli-ne ``watchmen'', q.v., or, in especially serious cases, refer the matter to the priest.

Related Words:   Religion   Roles

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