Faithful Voice for Change: Churches pay tribute to Rev Tugi

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has paid trib­ute to Reverend Simi­one Tugi, 63, remembering him as a dedicated church leader, advocate for social justice and a strong voice on some of Fiji's most pressing social is­sues.

He passed away in Nairobi, Kenya on January 10 following a short illness.

Reverend Tugi served as the gen­eral secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches for several years, a period during which the PCC worked closely with him on national church engage­ments in Fiji.

"We give thanks to God for his life and ministry," the PCC said in a state­ment, acknowledging his contribu­tion to ecumenical work and national dialogue. Beyond his role with the Fiji Council of Churches, Reverend Tugi held several key leadership positions.

He was the general secretary of the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, the chief executive officer of the Drug Educa­tion and Rehabilitation Foundation Fiji, and a board member of the Fiji Council of Churches.

Reverend Tugi was widely known for his strong public advocacy and will­ingness to speak out on urgent social challenges facing the country.

He consistently called on both the church and the government to move beyond words and take practical ac­tion.

His advocacy was deeply personal. Reverend Tugi often shared that one of his daughters had struggled with drug addiction for several years, an experi­ence that shaped his passionate calls for reform and support systems.

Among his key advocacy messages was the urgent need for a national drug rehabilitation centre in Fiji.

He also challenged churches to take a more active role in addressing social problems such as drug abuse and do­mestic violence, urging church leaders to deliver practical and relevant mes­sages from the pulpit.

Reverend Tugi spoke openly about domestic violence, attributing it in part to patriarchal traditions and cul­tural norms, and called for greater accountability and education within families and communities.

He also stressed the importance of family time in preventing young peo­ple from engaging in negative activi­ties, saying strong family bonds were critical in guiding youth.

In the health sector, Reverend Tugi was a vocal advocate for HIV and AIDS testing and cautioned against relying solely on herbal medicine for treat­ment, emphasising the need for proper medical care and awareness.

Reverend Tugi's passing marks the loss of a courageous church leader whose faith-driven advocacy left a last­ing impact on Fiji's religious and so­cial landscape.

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