The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou, emphasized the need for the church to enhance its role as a moral guide and responsible citizens of Fiji. During the week-long annual conference in Suva, he urged attendees to confront pressing social issues that the church faces.
Rev. Turagavou posed several critical questions to facilitate discussion among members and delegates, including concerns about declining church membership, the vocalization of grievances regarding leadership and ethical matters, the abandonment of the Methodist Group by some members, and the challenges posed by excessive kava consumption and smoking within the church community. He also inquired about the church’s ability to assess the attitudes towards moral misconduct and the vision required to rejuvenate the church’s reputation.
He pointed out that Fiji is grappling with a range of serious issues, including rising drug cases, crime, violence, human trafficking, homelessness, and challenges related to children living on the streets. Furthermore, he raised questions about how the church should respond to contemporary issues such as same-sex marriage, interfaith relations, and political matters.
Rev. Turagavou stated that the church is being put to the test in fulfilling its prophetic role and supporting the state and society. He called for collaboration with the community and government to investigate the root causes of these problems and to explore potential solutions. He reiterated the need for the church to strengthen its position as a conscience for the state and as accountable citizens of Fiji. The conference is ongoing.