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Christian Churches

Updated: Monday, February 18, 2008

Methodist - The largest Christian denomination in Fiji is that of the Methodists. Figures gathered from the 1996 census saw Methodists make up 36.2 per cent of the total population. Around 66.6 per cent of indigenous Fijians are Methodists according to the 1996 Census.

Roman Catholic - The Roman Catholic Church in Fiji comes under the auspices of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, which is spiritually led by the Pope in the Vatican City. The main administration direction for the church is also provided from Rome.

There are approximately 80,000 Catholics in Fiji, making up about 10 per cent of the total population. The entire country comes under a single archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Suva.

The present leader of the Catholic Church in Fiji is Archbishop Petero Mataca, and Vicar-General is Father Ben Kaloudau. There are Catholic churches located throughout Fiji and the church also runs some of the oldest schools in the country.

Salvation Army - The Salvation Army considers itself not only a church but also a social service organisation with administration principles modelled on quasi-military lines. The international headquarters is in London and the world leader is known as the General.

In each country or cluster of countries, there is a Salvation Army structure - called a territory - with one person identified as the leader for that country or group of countries.

For the territory New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga the headquarters is located in Wellington New Zealand and the Territorial Commander is the leader responsible for all Salvation Army operations within those geographical boundaries. Operating under the Territorial Commander in Wellington is a centralised management team. In turn there are a number of regionally based management operations representing the work of the Army throughout New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Charismatic - A variety of Pentecostal/charismatic denominations have a presence in Fiji, but are generally clustered in urbanised areas.

Assemblies Of God - Figures gathered from the US Assemblies of God Information & Statistics website show that there are 620 AOG churches within the Pacific Oceania, which includes Fiji. Of these, there are probably over 50,000 members of the church with over 500 ministries and a number of Bible Schools. 

The AOG following was introduced in Fiji by Adrian and Charlotte Heetebry who came to work in 1926. Their Pentecostal message received a lot of opposition from members of other missions, who weren’t so welcoming. But gradually, spirit-filled believers formed despite the opposition, and soon other missionaries joined the Heetebrys and the first Fijian ministers were ordained in 1958. The Assemblies of God of Fiji became as organization a year later.

Anglican Church in Fiji (Diocese of Polynesia) - Anglicans in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands serve under the The Diocese of Polynesia, or the Tikanga Pasefika, which is headed by Bishop Jabez Leslie Bryce. The diocese's cathedral is Holy Trinity Cathedral in Suva, Fiji. As the province moves towards a three-person primacy, the Bishop of Polynesia is automatically a co-presiding bishop and styled as an archbishop. The Bishop of Polynesia is currently supported by three suffragan bishops: Bishop Winston, Bishop Apimeleki Nadoki, and Bishop Gabriel Sharma.

The Latter Days Saints - The first Mormon missionaries arrived in Fiji in 1893. Work was hard work for missionaries, especially travelling amongst the 100 inhabited islands of Fiji to teach the people. It was not until 1954 that the first small congregation was organized and work picked up pace. By 1993 there were more than 6,600 members in six wards and fifteen branches. 

A groundbreaking ceremony and sited dedication were held for the Suva Fiji Temple on May 8, 1999. Earl M. Monson, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, presided at the ceremony and dedication. The site chosen for the Fiji temple was 4.7 acres and is considered one of the most beautiful temple sites. The Pacific Ocean can be seen from three sides of the property on one of the tallest hills in the area, and the site is located just a few minutes away from downtown Suva. The exterior of the Mormon temple is finished with Snow-white granite from Campolonghi, Italy and the grounds are beautifully landscaped.

 

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