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, noted that this agreement was formed prior to the UMC’s decision to allow LGBTQ clergy and to permit ministers to conduct same-sex weddings.
Qarase-Borman mentioned that her church disaffiliated from the UMC in May due to decisions made at the UMC’s general conference, stating, “We have separated from the UMC and are now operating independently under our newly-registered name, Santa Rosa Methodist Church.” She pointed out that the issue of LGBTQ representation was discussed at their conference, during which they encouraged the government to uphold resistance against LGBTQ inclusivity in Fiji.
She highlighted that the existing bilateral agreement with the UMC of California/Nevada restricted congregations that left the UMC from joining the Methodist Church in Fiji. “I urged the church to take a firm stance on this issue and re-evaluate the bilateral agreement. Numerous iTaukei church members within the UMC are awaiting a response,” she said, adding that recent discussions indicated a lack of support for LGBTQ inclusivity at the conference.
Qarase-Borman expressed her belief that the bilateral agreement will be dissolved, and that the Methodist Church in Fiji will begin the legal proceedings to formalize this change. She praised the Methodist Church in Fiji for its clear position on this matter. “I have friends in the LGBTQ community whom I care about dearly, but it is important to maintain clear boundaries regarding this issue,” she concluded.