The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou, emphasized the need for the church to enhance its role as the conscience of the state and as responsible citizens of Fiji. Addressing attendees at the annual conference in Suva, Rev. Turagavou highlighted the pressing need to confront ongoing social issues affecting the church, expressing hope that the conference would provide a platform for members and delegates to tackle these concerns.
Rev. Turagavou posed several critical questions regarding the church’s current state, including the decline in church membership, the vocal discontent of modern churchgoers regarding poor leadership and moral issues, and the alarming trend of affiliated members leaving the Methodist Group. He also noted concerns about the church’s struggles with substance abuse, particularly kava and tobacco use, and questioned whether there are adequate measures in place to assess the attitudes towards immorality and misconduct among church leaders. Additionally, he urged for a clear vision to elevate the church’s standing and restore its image.
Focusing on the broader challenges facing Fiji, Rev. Turagavou pointed to increased drug cases, crime, violence, human trafficking, the plight of street children, and homelessness. He questioned how the church approaches contentious topics such as same-sex marriage, interfaith dynamics, and political traditions.
“The church faces challenges in fulfilling its prophetic role and serving the nation,” he stated. He called for collaboration among church leaders, the community, and the government to address the root causes of these issues and explore potential solutions.
The conference will continue its discussions today.