Suva’s Centenary Church and surrounding areas have filled up with people dressed in white and black as they gather to pay their last respects to the late President of the Methodist Church of Fiji Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu.
The body of the late church President is now lying at the Centenary Church with more than 1,000 people attending the funeral service.
The casket was carried into the church by the pall bearers from Moala.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was greeted by acting Church President Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca and former President Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi as he arrived at the Centenary Church.
The funeral service is being attended by people from all walks of life including Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama, the First Lady Adi Koila Nailatikau, cabinet ministers, former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and heads of the different religious groups in the country.
Condolence messages from several Methodist Church representatives from around the world have been read in the service by General Secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra.
World Methodist General Secretary Reverend Ivan Abraham said he met Reverend Waqairatu in 2009 as part of the World Methodist Council Delegation which visited the church in Fiji.
Reverend Abraham said he recalled the late Reverend Waqairatu as a man of great warmth.
The British Methodist Church President said the passing away of Reverend Waqairatu is a great loss to everyone.
Others who presented their eulogies were Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga General Secretary Reverend Dr Tevita Havea, Uniting Church of Australia’s Reverend Professor Andrew Dutney, the United Church of California, the President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, the Fiji Council of Churches and the Assembly of Christian Churches in Fiji.
The sermon will be delivered by former Methodist President Reverend Manasa Lasaro.
The late Reverend Waqairatu will be laid to rest in Davuilevu later today.
You can check out the latest photos of the funeral on our facebook account, fijivillage.com.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Church President’s funeral underway
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when