The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill being considered by Fiji’s parliament will silence the essential independent accountability of agencies such as the media, civil society, religious organisations and others. This is the opinion expressed by the Methodist Church in its submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights last Thursday. The Read more
THE Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has denied claims that it is associated with the Fijians Helping Fiji Co-operative Ltd (FHFCL). Fijians Helping Fiji Co-operative Limited was set up last year by a Hanemel Hansen along the lines of Americans Helping America (AHA), a US organisation involved in adult adoption work leading to US Read more
The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma says it does not condone any form of violence. Church general secretary, Reverend Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa, made the call in light of the latest figures revealed by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) showing 756 cases of domestic violence from January to July. “Ever since the church began, Read more
Methodist Church president, Reverend Dr Tevita Banivanua, has told a meeting of church leaders that one of the key challenges facing the church is to rebuild relationships that have become strained or neglected over the past few years. Following the success of the reconciliation process within the Church last year, as part of her golden jubilee, Read more
The Communications Secretary for Fiji’s Methodist Church, Reverend James Bhagwan, says the key message from the church is that, “We don’t condone violence in any way, shape or form.” He said it’s a challenge for the church to help people find ways to resolve conflict peacefully. Bhagwan said they have noticed domestic violence on the increase Read more
Following the conclusion of the election which was preceded by a controversial letter currently causing a rift between the new administration and the Methodist Church in Fiji, the church has expressed its willingness to work with the elected government. The reaction came in the wake of a response by the Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Ret) Read more
The Methodist Church in Fiji has started leasing out agricultural land close to Navuso where the church had more than 300 acres of land. The Methodist Church is the second biggest land owner in Fiji. “We want people to utilise the land and make a living for themselves, especially farmers,” says the Church’s newly-elected president Read more
Methodist church communications secretary Reverend James Bhagwan says his church was impartial and does not endorse any political parties. Bhagwan said the church would stay neutral and it should not be seen to be favouring anyone. “But at the same time we are pastorally speaking to our members, encouraging them to pray before each major Read more
In Fiji, Methodist Church ministers who want to enter party politics will have to resign from ministry. That is the message from church communications secretary Reverend James Bhagwan. “If any minister wants to join a political party and stand under the party’s banner, they will have to resign from their appointment,” he said. Bhagwan said Read more
THE Methodist Church hopes to balance church and tradition in terms of the kava ban proposal that was put in place by late church president Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu. Church communications secretary Reverend James Bhagwan said they would continue to honour Waqairatu’s views, however, the church standing committee is working on ways to balance the ban Read more