The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou, emphasized the need to reinforce their position as the conscience of the state and responsible citizens during the annual conference in Suva. He highlighted the importance of addressing various social issues affecting the Church and hopes that this gathering will foster meaningful discussions among members and delegates.
Rev. Turagavou raised several critical questions regarding the state of the Church, including concerns about declining membership, the vocal dissatisfaction of members regarding leadership and moral issues, and the abandonment of the Methodist Group by affiliated members. He also pointed out troubling trends within the church related to kava consumption and smoking, and urged for metrics to assess the attitudes towards immoral behavior and leadership misconduct. Furthermore, he questioned whether the Church possesses the vision to elevate its standing and restore its lost reputation.
He mentioned the multifaceted challenges facing Fiji, such as rising drug cases, crime, violence, human trafficking, street youth, and homelessness. Moreover, Rev. Turagavou called into question the Church’s approach to contemporary issues, including same-sex marriage, interfaith matters, and political traditions.
“The Church is under pressure to fulfill its prophetic role and serve as a provider for the state and the nation,” he stated. “We must work together and collaborate with the Vanua and the Government to identify the root causes of these issues and seek viable solutions.”
Rev. Turagavou concluded by reiterating the necessity for the Church to strengthen its role as a moral guide and responsible members of society in Fiji. The conference is set to continue today.