Reverend Semisi Turagavou, the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, is calling on parents to embrace their responsibilities. A recent report from the Ministry of Women and Social Protection highlights a troubling trend, revealing that 76 percent of children who experience abuse and neglect come from Christian households, with 75 percent identifying as iTaukei.
Reverend Turagavou expressed concern that this significant representation of Christian families in cases of child neglect reflects negatively on the community. He stated, “We acknowledge the problem and will not shy away from it,” emphasizing the church’s commitment to tackle the issue head-on. He noted that social problems within families continue despite various awareness initiatives.
To combat these challenges, the Methodist Church may scale back some of its programs. The Reverend explained that certain activities might interfere with family time, which has become a growing concern among members. He pointed out that too much involvement in church activities can detract from quality family interactions and stressed the necessity to strengthen family units to mitigate harmful effects on children.
“We will work with the congregation to reinforce family bonds to help resolve these issues,” he affirmed.