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 this agreement was formed prior to the UMC’s decision to allow LGBTQ clergy and enable its ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings.
Qarase-Borman mentioned that her church disaffiliated from the UMC in May due to the decisions made at their general conference. “We have separated from the UMC and are now operating independently under our newly-registered name, Santa Rosa Methodist Church,” she confirmed.
She noted that the topic of LGBTQ rights was addressed at the conference, emphasizing the importance for the government to persist in resisting LGBTQ inclusivity in Fiji. According to her, the 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 definitive stance on this issue and review the bilateral agreement. Many iTaukei church members within the UMC are looking for a response,” she added. Recent discussions suggested that the conference did not endorse LGBTQ inclusivity.
Qarase-Borman expressed her understanding that the bilateral agreement will be terminated, and the Methodist Church in Fiji will commence the necessary legal actions. She expressed gratitude to the Methodist Church in Fiji for their clear position on the issue, stating, “I have friends in the LGBTQ community whom I care for deeply, but there must be a clear boundary in this matter.”