The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has stressed that ecumenism, or working together with other Christian denominations and faith groups, remains a central pillar of its mission. General Secretary Reverend Jolami Lasawa emphasized the church’s strong ties with other churches and faith communities through memberships in the Fiji Council of Churches and the Pacific Council of Churches.
Lasawa also highlighted the church’s open door policy, noting that collaboration with other denominations and faiths is part of addressing the social issues Fiji faces today. He said, “Other faiths who are in Fiji. We can discuss, we work together on the importance of what is happening in Fiji today, social ills, social issues. We are trying to work together for the betterment of our society and our church in Fiji today.”
In Australia, Reverend Samuela Sadrata, minister for the New England NorthWest Presbytery, praised the success of a new ecumenical service launched in Tamworth two months ago. The service provides a space for Fijians living abroad, especially those dealing with loneliness, to reconnect with God and feel a sense of belonging.
These fresh statements come against a backdrop of the church’s ongoing effort to engage with broader social concerns. Earlier discussions from church leaders have underscored the need for the Methodist Church to participate in dialogues at village, district, and provincial levels on issues such as drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, alongside collaborations with vanua leadership, government, and other faith groups. The church’s role as the largest denomination in Fiji, with ministers and representatives spread across urban, rural, and maritime regions, positions it to lead by example and foster unity across communities.
This openness to ecumenical partnership and diaspora outreach reflects a broader, hopeful trend: faith-based leadership joining forces with civil society to address social welfare and cohesion. It also points to potential future initiatives, including expanded community programs, strengthened cross-denominational education, and more concerted support for families and vulnerable groups.
Potential angles for follow-up:
– Interviews with church leaders on concrete plans for deeper ecumenical programs and timelines.
– Examples of successful joint community initiatives in both urban and rural areas.
– How diaspora engagement, including services for expatriate communities, may evolve and influence domestic church work.
– Exploration of partnerships with media, police, and government to amplify social welfare efforts.
Overall, the church’s reaffirmation of ecumenism and its visible commitment to unity and social reach offers a hopeful path for strengthening Fiji’s social fabric through faith-led collaboration.
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