Reverend Semisi Turagavou, the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, is calling on parents to assume greater responsibility for their roles in raising children. A report from the Ministry of Women and Social Protection highlights that 76 percent of children suffering from abuse and neglect come from Christian households, with 75 percent identified as iTaukei.
Reverend Turagavou pointed out that such a significant representation from Christian families reflects poorly on the community. “We acknowledge the problem and will not shy away from it,” he stated. He emphasized the church’s accountability as social issues within families continue despite numerous awareness campaigns.
In response to these challenges, the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is considering reducing some church programs. Reverend Turagavou observed that certain programs take away from family time, which has raised concerns among congregants.
He noted that excessive involvement in church activities detracts from quality family interactions and underscored the importance of reinforcing family units to mitigate negative effects on children. “We will work with the congregation to strengthen family bonds to help address these issues,” he affirmed.