The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is set to terminate its bilateral agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the United States. Talei Qarase-Borman, president of the Santa Rosa Methodist Church board, stated that the agreement was established prior to the UMC’s decision to allow LGBTQ clergy and permit same-sex weddings.
Qarase-Borman noted that her church disaffiliated from the UMC in May in response to the decisions made at the UMC’s general conference, emphasizing their independent operation under the newly registered name, Santa Rosa Methodist Church.
The issue of LGBTQ inclusivity was a key topic during their conference, where participants urged the government to continue resisting such inclusivity in Fiji. She pointed out that the existing bilateral agreement with the UMC of California/Nevada hindered congregations that had left the UMC from joining the Methodist Church in Fiji.
Qarase-Borman called for the church to take a stance on this matter and address the agreement, highlighting that many iTaukei church members within the UMC are awaiting a response.
Discussions revealed that the conference does not support LGBTQ inclusivity, and she believes that the bilateral agreement will be terminated as the Methodist Church in Fiji begins the legal process to do so. While she expressed care for friends in the LGBTQ community, she stressed the importance of establishing clear boundaries on this issue.