Church must do more than preach: Chaplain

In the wake of the tragic death of a mother of three to domestic violence, Suva Grammar School Chaplain Reverend Wilfred Regunamada has called for a revitalisation of pastoral care and community outreach.

Rev Regunamada is urging churches not to retreat into blame or silence but to re-engage meaningfully with the people they serve.

“The tragic incident involving the death of Sainimere Tuinasakea cannot simply be blamed on the volume of church music,” Rev Regunamada said.

Ms Tuinasakea was allegedly involved in a murder-suicide at Lagilagi Housing on Sunday after a heated argument with her husband turned fatal for both of them.

Oversimplifying the circumstances

The chaplain warned against oversimplifying the circumstances of Ms Tuinasakea’s death by focusing only on the volume of church music, which some have suggested may have masked a possible ‘cry for help.

“While it is understandable that emotions are high and people seek tangible causes to explain a heartbreaking loss, attributing the failure to respond to a ‘cry for help’ solely to the church music oversimplifies the issue and overlooks deeper, systemic problems,” Rev Regunamada said.

He pointed to a decline in traditional Methodist outreach practices, such as home visitations, neighborhood check-ins, and open-air preaching as a factor that may be contributing to a growing sense of isolation among congregants.

He highlighted a decline in traditional Methodist outreach practices - like home visits, neighbourhood check-ins, and open-air preaching - as a factor that may be contributing to a growing sense of isolation among congregants.

“At its core, this incident reflects a lack of community outreach and connection,” he said.

“When churches reduce their community engagement to Sunday services and loud music, they risk alienating the very people they aim to support.”

Rather than condemning worship practices, Rev Regunamada said the tragedy highlights an urgent need for the church to reclaim its role as a proactive, listening, and compassionate presence in everyday life.

He stressed four key areas the church must strengthen which were:

•  Stronger pastoral care through regular family visits and support beyond church services;
•  Active listening and counseling ministries, particularly for young couples and vulnerable individuals;
•  Neighbourhood engagement; and
•  Open-air preaching to maintain visibility and trust.

Rev Regunamada said there was a need for culture of intervention and awareness, where church members and neighbors were trained to recognise and respond to signs of distress.

“Sainimere’s death was indeed a ‘cry for help’, but not just on that Sunday morning. It may have been a long-unheard cry from within a silent home in a community that, perhaps unknowingly, stopped listening,” Rev Regunamada added.

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