Reverend Semisi Turagavou, the 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 has revealed that a significant number of children facing abuse and neglect—76 percent—come from Christian households, with 75 percent identified as iTaukei.
Reverend Turagavou expressed concern about the implications of this finding for the community. “We acknowledge the problem and will not shy away from it,” he stated, emphasizing the church’s commitment to addressing social issues that persist in homes, despite various awareness initiatives.
To tackle these challenges, the Methodist Church may consider scaling back certain church programs that take time away from families. Reverend Turagavou pointed out that the extensive hours dedicated to church activities detract from quality family time, a situation that many congregants have raised as a concern.
He highlighted the importance of nurturing family relationships to mitigate negative impacts on children. “We will work with the congregation to reinforce family bonds to help resolve these issues,” he added.