The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is preparing to terminate its bilateral agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC) based in the United States. Talei Qarase-Borman, president of the Santa Rosa Methodist Church board, noted that the agreement was created prior to the UMC’s decision to allow LGBTQ clergy and grant ministers the authority to perform same-sex weddings.
Qarase-Borman shared that her church disaffiliated from the UMC in May due to the decisions taken at the UMC’s general conference. “We have separated from the UMC and are now operating independently under our newly-registered name, Santa Rosa Methodist Church,” she stated.
The LGBTQ issue was brought up at their conference, where the need for the government to continue opposing LGBTQ inclusivity in Fiji was highlighted. She mentioned that the existing agreement with the UMC of California/Nevada prevented congregations that had left the UMC from joining the Methodist Church in Fiji.
“I asked the church to take a stand on this issue and address the bilateral agreement. Many iTaukei church members within the UMC are awaiting a response,” she remarked. Recent discussions indicated a general lack of support for LGBTQ inclusivity among the conference attendees.
Qarase-Borman expressed the expectation that the bilateral agreement will soon be dissolved, leading the Methodist Church in Fiji to commence the legal proceedings necessary for this process. “We are grateful to the Methodist Church in Fiji for making this stand clear on this issue,” she added.
Despite having friends within the LGBTQ community whom she cares for, she stressed the importance of maintaining a clear boundary regarding this matter.