First two women ministers ordained by Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) in historic decision

In a historic moment for Tuvalu, two women, Rev. Oliula Kalahati and Rev. Sulufaiga Uota were ordained as ministers of Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) in special ceremonies on 16 July. They join 41 ministers in EKT’s parishes, and this comes more than a century after missionaries arrived in Tuvalu under the London Missionary Society.

Elders remarked that the inclusion of women in ordained ministry will be a step towards democratisation of the 10,000-strong church which has 28 parishes at home and abroad.

“We pray for the newly ordained ministers and for a greater understanding on the role of women in church and society,” said Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) General Secretary Rev. James Bhagwan in his congratulatory message.