The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji said he has his trust and confidence in married women, and he never had the intention to say that married women are not trusted when he spoke to a group of new Methodist ministers.
Reverend Dr Tuikilakila Waqairatu said to graduates at the Davuilevu Theological College last week that the new ministers should not drink yaqona with married women as they will lead them to evil things that could affect the ministers’ work.
When asked for clarification by Fijivillage on what he is trying to say about married women and why general statements have been made about adultery implying that yaqona drinking will lead to adultery being committed by single ministers and married women, Reverend Waqairatu said he apologizes to those who feel that way.
He said he is only trying to make sure that the church ministers make the right decision on who they socialize with after a specific incident in the Methodist Church.
When questioned on why he has made generalized statements about married women and whether it is a real concern in the church, he said he was only referring to one incident.
He again apologized to people saying that he never wanted to create any mistrust about married women.
Reverend Waqairatu said he is concerned about yaqona abuse in the church.
He said the church has also banned yaqona drinking and smoking on Sundays.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
