Reverend Semisi Turagavou, President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, is calling on parents to embrace their responsibilities. A report from the Ministry of Women and Social Protection reveals that 76 percent of children who are abused or neglected come from Christian households, with 75 percent identifying as iTaukei.
Reverend Turagavou expressed concern that the significant number of Christian families involved in such issues reflects poorly on the community. “We acknowledge the problem and will not shy away from it,” he stated. He highlighted the church’s commitment to addressing social issues within homes, which persist despite various awareness campaigns.
To tackle these challenges, the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is considering cutting back on certain church programs. Reverend Turagavou mentioned that some activities may take away from valuable family time, which has been a growing concern among congregants.
He pointed out that spending excessive time on church-related activities can negatively affect family dynamics. “We will work with the congregation to reinforce family bonds to help resolve these issues,” he affirmed.