DENOMINATIONAL differences have at times caused division in Fiji’s villages and even within families, despite faith being rooted in unity, says head of the Catholic Church Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.
He made the comment following a significant moment at Tubou, Lakeba, in Lau over the weekend, where representatives of different Christian denominations joined the Catholic community to mark 182 years since the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in Fiji.
“The unfortunate thing now is that the different denominations have become the cause of division in villages and even in families,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.
Representatives from the Methodist Church, Christian Mission Fellowship, Assemblies of God and the Seventh-day Adventist Church attended the gathering.
Archbishop Loy Chong said the denominations were intentionally invited, reflecting the importance of sharing major occasions with the wider community.
“We wanted them to be part of the celebration,” he said.
He said the gesture reflected the traditional Fijian way of life, where communities came together to share important events.
“It’s only the Fijian way of life that you invite other people into the celebration,” he said.
Archbishop Loy Chong said many villages now had multiple denominations, making it important for churches to create opportunities to unite despite differences.
“So we encourage different churches to come together, at least once a month to worship together.”
He said such efforts would allow churches to maintain their traditions while strengthening relationships within communities.
Archbishop Loy Chong said diversity was a reality, but unity required deliberate effort.
“Diversity is a fact of the matter with the different denominations and even religions.
“But also in the diversity, we have to find ways on how to be united, to come together for something, for prayer.”
He said the Lakeba gathering demonstrated how churches could come together despite differences.
The 182nd anniversary celebrations were also attended by the Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. Events included the opening of gates to a landmark honouring the first Catholic missionaries, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and the blessing of an altar by Archbishop Loy Chong.
He said the occasion brought together different Christian traditions to honour missionaries who settled on Lakeba in 1844, while highlighting the importance of maintaining unity within communities bound by village, family and tradition.
