Reverend Semisi Turagavou, the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, is calling on parents to embrace their responsibilities.
A report from the Ministry of Women and Social Protection reveals that child neglect is a prevalent issue, with 76 percent of abused and neglected children coming from Christian households, and 75 percent of those being iTaukei.
Reverend Turagavou expressed concern about the significant representation of Christian families in these statistics, stating it reflects negatively on the community.
“We acknowledge the problem and will not shy away from it,” he affirmed. “We take full responsibility as social issues within homes continue despite various awareness campaigns.”
To tackle these challenges, the Methodist Church may consider reducing some church programs. Reverend Turagavou pointed out that certain programs can interfere with family time, which has been a growing concern among many congregants.
He highlighted that excessive participation in church activities can diminish family interactions and underscored the importance of reinforcing family units to mitigate adverse effects on children.
“We will collaborate with the congregation to strengthen family bonds and address these issues,” he stated.