Reverend Simione Tugi, the general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches, has urged churches to begin delivering the correct messages in their sermons. In an interview, he expressed concern that lay preachers and pastors are not adequately addressing critical social issues, such as drug abuse.
Mr. Tugi emphasized that churches have a responsibility to vocally condemn these issues. “I have to be honest about this one,” he remarked. “We have a social issue in front of us, and what we are preaching in church is something else.”
He called for churches to adopt a more serious tone in their discussions. “That’s why the sins thrive because the men of God are keeping quiet,” he stated. “You talk about something else, but you are not engaging with the real issues. We discuss topics like heaven and the Holy Spirit, but what about drugs, violence, and other social problems?”
According to Mr. Tugi, church leaders should utilize their platforms to directly address and condemn these societal challenges. He referenced the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18 to 19, highlighting the role of the church in bringing good news to those in need.
“We have a lot of captives here; for instance, those who are addicted to drugs are captives to those substances,” he explained. “When individuals are blinded, they fail to see the reality and implications of drug use. These people are in need of hope, and they require positive messages to help them find clarity.”