Church sex probe; Fijian priest suspended

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Image: FIJI POLICE

Fijian Police are investigating allegations that a member of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma clergy sexually assaulted 14 young boys while serving on an outer island.

This was confirmed to this newspaper by police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro.

She said the alleged incidents happened in the Southern Division.

“There is a report being investigated by Levuka Police,” she said.

She said the sexual acts were allegedly committed on the young boys between 2018 and this year.

“The 14 victims are boys and juveniles.”

Meanwhile, during the church ministers and head of divisions retreat in Suva this week, the church’s newly-appointed president, Reverend Ili Vunisuwai, confirmed the clergyman had been suspended pending investigations.

He said the church was awaiting a report from the superintendent of where the alleged incidents happened.

“We will act when the superintendent sends in the report,” he said.

“The person involved has been suspended and for the time being we are yet to take it to the meeting.

“These are still allegations and if the reports say to be sexual assault, then we will take serious actions.

“The church is clear cut on our code of ethics; we will not condone such acts in our church.”

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