Why is @BeforeClass static

Hello,
     I'm using Seam and want to run tests using it's SeamTest class, but it is meant for TestNG.
I want to extend it and annotate some methods that will call appropriate super methods. However Junit4 requires method annotated  with @BeforeClass to be public static and SeamTest.init methods is protected non-static.
Are there any serious reasons to keep @BeforeClass methods static ?
     If so what would you propose to do in my situation ? That init method takes quite long to start and I don't know if it is wise to put it into constructor.

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