Church Seeks to End Ties With US Counterpart

The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma will take the necessary steps to terminate its bilateral agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the United States.

Santa Rosa Methodist Church board president Talei Qarase-Borman said the bilateral agreement was established before the UMC decided to allow LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning) clergy and permit its ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings.

Ms Qarase-Borman explained that her church disaffiliated from the UMC in May because of decisions made at their general conference.

“We have separated from the UMC and are now operating independently under our newly-registered name, Santa Rosa Methodist Church,” Ms Qarase-Borman said.

“The issue of LGBTQ was raised at our conference. We emphasised the need for Government to continue resisting LGBTQ inclusivity in Fiji,” she said.

Ms Qarase-Borman said the bilateral agreement with the UMC of California/Nevada prevented congregations that left the UMC from joining the Methodist Church in Fiji.

From left: Wasewase ko Yasawa-I-Yata Division choir performing at the Festival of Praise of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma in Suva on August 29, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord

“I asked the church to take a stand on this issue and address the bilateral agreement. Many iTaukei church members within the UMC are awaiting a response,” she said.

She said it was evident from recent discussions that the conference did not support LGBTQ inclusivity.

“From my understanding, the bilateral agreement will be terminated, and the Methodist Church in Fiji will initiate the legal process. We are grateful to the Methodist Church in Fiji for making this stand clear on this issue,” Ms Qarase-Borman said.

“I have friends in the LGBTQ community who I care about dearly, but there must be a clear boundary in this matter.”

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