No Ordained Roles For LGBTQI+ In The Methodist Church
" We don't entertain policies that include the LGBTQI+ members to administer some of the circuits and divisions."
Thursday 13 October 2022 | 11:00
Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma General Secretary, Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou (left) and President, Rev. Ili Vunisuwai during Methodist Church annual conference at Funival Park on October 12, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar
The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma welcomes members of the LGBTQI+ Community, however, it will not give them ordained roles.
It's general secretary, Reverend Semisi Turagavou, said: " We don't entertain policies that include the LGBTQI+ members to administer some of the circuits and divisions."
“We don’t allow it."
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“We have a stand as a church and we don’t allow LGBTQI+ members to conduct the sermon, especially worship service and the holy sacrament.”
Reverend Turagavou made it clear no one was deprived of their right to attend their houses of worship should they wish to.
“It is free to all,” he reiterated.
The issue came to light on Day Three of the Methodist Church Conference which resulted in heated debate following a question to leaders about what role could the LGBTQI+ Community have in the church.
The argument began when a representative from Canberra, Australia, moved a motion to set up a division there.
The motion was defeated after another church member argued that issues like same-sex marriage may affect the church mission there.
Thereafter, another member posed a question to leaders on what the role of the LGBTQI+ community can have in the church.
LGBTQI+ is an acronym which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.
Reverend Turagavou said this was common in churches in Australia and America.
Lorine Tevi
Church member, Lorine Tevi, who objected the motion, said members in Australia should listen to leaders from the head- quarters.
“If they become a wasewase (division), they administratively come under the Methodist Church in Fiji,” she said.
“They can be with us through a working relationship.”
She said it was important for pastors overseas to talk about issues they were facing at the conference so that future decisions on matters overseas could be made much clearer.
Methodist Church member, Lorine Tevi. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Watch Your Lifestyle
Church president, Reverend Ili Vunisuwai, said church ministers must watch their lifestyle.
“They include our eating habits, excessive consumption of kava, staying up late at nights and not having enough rest,” he said.
“A disciplined life simply means that we ought to live within our means.”
Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj
