Ministers and chaplains of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma who previously stepped down due to their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination have been reinstated. Manasa Vatanitawake, the secretary of the church’s communication department, stated that their reappointment came as a response to the church’s difficulties in filling vacant positions within its circuits and educational institutions.
Vatanitawake noted that the church has faced challenges over the past few years, with numerous vacancies in circuits, divisional schools, and secondary school chaplaincies, caused by the absence of ministers who had not been vaccinated. He expressed optimism about the situation, highlighting the church conference’s decision to welcome these ministers back.
He confirmed that all the ministers have been reinstated and assigned to vacant positions within circuits or as school chaplains. Many have opted to begin their roles in October this year rather than waiting for the new term to start.