James Bhagwan. - CathNews New Zealand https://cathnews.co.nz Catholic News New Zealand Thu, 20 Jun 2019 07:14:02 +0000 en-NZ hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cathnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-cathnewsfavicon-32x32.jpg James Bhagwan. - CathNews New Zealand https://cathnews.co.nz 32 32 70145804 Churches admit slow-pace in action against gender violence in Pacific https://cathnews.co.nz/2019/06/20/churches-admit-slow-pace-in-action-against-gender-violence-in-pacific/ Thu, 20 Jun 2019 06:51:50 +0000 https://cathnews.co.nz/?p=118632 The Pacific Conference of Churches admits there has been a lack of urgency by the church in addressing gender-based violence in the region. Its general-secretary James Bhagwan said they have also been complicit. He said a monitoring system is being planned in which faith communities will be held accountable to the commitments they make to Read more

Churches admit slow-pace in action against gender violence in Pacific... Read more]]> The Pacific Conference of Churches admits there has been a lack of urgency by the church in addressing gender-based violence in the region.

Its general-secretary James Bhagwan said they have also been complicit.

He said a monitoring system is being planned in which faith communities will be held accountable to the commitments they make to stop gender-based violence.

"I acknowledge that for far too long, we as the churches have not only been slow to address this issue, we have also been complicit in this issue.

But we have to recognise and own that. We are looking to see how we can be more intentional in translating the statements and declarations made by our member churches into some significant movement on this issue." Read more

Churches admit slow-pace in action against gender violence in Pacific]]> 118632 Methodist Church says no to violence against children https://cathnews.co.nz/2015/02/03/methodist-church-say-no-violence-children/ Mon, 02 Feb 2015 18:03:48 +0000 http://cathnews.co.nz/?p=67614

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

Methodist Church says no to violence against children... 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 as the result of people being more frustrated.

He hopes that now that Fijians are moving into a more democratic environment these things will start to change.

Bhagwan says violence is legitimised by many cultures, institutions and some Christian groups but the church's role in Fiji is to develop a climate of openness and build ways to keep the vulnerable safe from harm.

He says this is a massive task for a society raised with the notion of 'if you spare the rod, you spoil the child'.

Fiji's Police Commissioner says the police have a zero tolerance policy on offences against children and he has issued a plea to the community to report child abuse.

Commissioner Groenewald says hitting children is against the law and while it is common it is not often reported.

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Methodist Church says no to violence against children]]> 67614 Fiji Methodist Church bans ministers from party politics https://cathnews.co.nz/2014/02/25/fiji-methodist-church-bans-ministers-party-politics/ Mon, 24 Feb 2014 18:30:14 +0000 http://cathnews.co.nz/?p=54749

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

Fiji Methodist Church bans ministers from party politics... 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 the church would also continue to encourage people to exercise their democratic rights.

"It's been a while since we have been able to vote — when we do have election, people should exercise good judgement, vote for responsible leaders who have integrity and good character."

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Fiji Methodist Church bans ministers from party politics]]> 54749