The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fiji presented a Matanigasau to the family of a teenage girl who was allegedly murdered at Vatuvonu High School premises 55 years ago and the case remained unsolved.
The SDA Church says despite many speculations, however, the Fiji Police Force recently closed the case due to lack of evidence. They say this prompted the Church and its leaders to conduct a Matanigasau to the bereaved family as it deemed that it failed to ensure the safety of the girl while being a student of the boarding school then.
Fiji Mission president Nasoni Lutunaliwa says the event had been long overdue and past leaders have attempted to seek forgiveness from the family, however, because the case was still under investigation and before the police, things had stalled until now.
Lutunaliwa says Wednesday’s event was moving as close relatives of the alleged murdered girl and a surviving sibling were present to receive the church’s Matanigasau.
He says it was always hard to forgive, especially in such circumstances but God alone and the Holy Spirit's presence was felt as everyone was moved to forgive and extend acceptance to each other.
He adds the event at Vatuvonu on Wednesday according to church leaders will bring about changes and open new opportunities and blessings for the Vanua Levu-based Adventist High School.
