Reverend Semisi Turagavou, the leader of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, has called on parents to embrace their responsibilities. A report from the Ministry of Women and Social Protection reveals that child neglect is prevalent, with 76 percent of abused and neglected children coming from Christian households, and 75 percent being iTaukei.
Reverend Turagavou remarked that the significant representation of Christian families in these statistics has a negative implication for the community. He acknowledged the issue without reservation, stating, “We take full responsibility as social issues within homes persist despite numerous awareness campaigns.”
In response to these challenges, the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is considering the reduction of certain church programs. Reverend Turagavou pointed out that some activities have been a distraction from family time, which has raised concerns among many congregants. He highlighted that prolonged engagement in church activities can detract from family relationships, stressing the importance of solidifying family units to mitigate adverse effects on children.
“We will work with the congregation to reinforce family bonds to help resolve these issues,” he stated.