The president had earlier said he would not consider any pardons until after the MPs had finished their appeal process.
That happened on Monday and our correspondent reports that there are stories circulating in Port Vila that Fr Lonsdale is planning a pardon.
The chairman of the Port Vila Town Council of Chiefs and a member of the chiefs body, the Malfatumauri, Chief Isaac Worwor, says they met with the president and have been reassured.
