On October 16, 2026, Mai TV Fiji reported that Dr. Semisi Turagavou, President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, called on the Fijian government to restrict Sunday business activities to allow families more time together and encourage participation in religious observances. Speaking during public consultations on Fiji’s Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, Dr. Turagavou emphasized the importance of protecting Sunday and also cited Sunday trading restrictions in Samoa and Tonga as examples that Fiji should consider adopting.
Mai TV Fiji reported the following:
• “The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma wants nightclubs to close by 11pm and most businesses to shut on Sundays, arguing that stronger family time and religious observance could help address some of Fiji’s social problems.” [1]
• “Speaking at a public consultation on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 at Suva’s Civic Center, Church president Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou urged the Coalition Government to consider the proposals as it seeks public support for the proposed constitutional changes.” [1]
• “Dr. Turagavou questioned why Fiji continued to face challenges including drug-related cases, high HIV/AIDS rates and domestic violence, saying the country needed to seriously reconsider its social priorities.” [1]
• “The Church is also calling on the Government to restrict Sunday operations to essential services, with other businesses closing to allow families more time together and enable religious observance.” [1]
• “Dr. Turagavou pointed to Samoa and Tonga, where Sunday trading restrictions are practiced, saying Fiji could consider similar measures while taking into account its multi-ethnic society.” [1]
• “He said the proposals went beyond declaring Fiji a Christian State in the Constitution’s preamble, arguing that putting Christian principles into practice could help address the country’s social challenges.” [1]
• “This is to just acknowledge God,’ he said. The proposals add a religious and social dimension to the ongoing debate over the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, which has drawn submissions from members of the public and organizations during the parliamentary consultation process.” [1]
Here we see a major Protestant church calling on the government to pass an amendment to the Constitution in order to protect Sunday as the day of rest. The Methodist Church is arguing that these restrictions are needed to strengthen families, encourage people to attend church, and help address the growing moral and social problems in society. Even more significant is that these appeals are taking place during a national constitutional reform process, precisely the kind of legislative setting Ellen White identified in her warning about religious leaders seeking constitutional support for Sunday observance.
“I have been much burdened in regard to movements that are now in progress for the enforcement of Sunday observance. It has been shown to me that Satan has been working earnestly to carry out his designs to restrict religious liberty. Plans of serious import to the people of God are advancing in an underhand manner among the clergymen of various denominations, and the object of this secret maneuvering is to win popular favor for the enforcement of Sunday sacredness. If the people can be led to favor a Sunday law, then the clergy intend to exert their united influence to obtain a religious amendment to the Constitution, and compel the nation to keep Sunday” (Review and Herald, December 24, 1889).
We are seeing more and more calls for government-enforced Sunday rest emerging in different parts of the world. Religious leaders, churches, political figures, and various organizations are increasingly calling for Sunday to be protected by civil legislation. Whether the arguments center on strengthening families, restoring moral values, protecting workers, promoting social stability, or preserving the day for worship, the recurring message is to establish Sunday as a legally protected day of rest.
Sources
[1] https://maitvfiji.com/methodist-church-calls-for-11pm-nightclub-curfew-sunday-business-shutdown/
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