‘Increase in moral decay’

HEAD of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma the Rev Ili Vunisuwai says he is not surprised with the increase in moral decay in Fijian society.

He said he believed the root cause of increasing immoral behaviour was the decline in “the spiritual side of our life”.

“We are all concerned about the slowly eroding morality in our society,” he said.

“We have to deal with the root cause.

“The root cause of the immoral behaviour is the spiritual side of our life.

“Once you take that out, you are shaking the foundation of our society, our nation.”

Mr Vunisuwai said all religious organisations had to play their part in addressing the issue.

“We do not entertain it, but we are doing our best as a religious organisation to deal with it.

“Not only us, I am talking about any religion — we all have our part to play in society and in the nation.

“We are creating awareness on drugs, climate change, human trafficking, corruption, gender violence et cetera.

“It’s part of the church to think and take part seriously on those issues.”

Mr Vunisuwai said the Methodist Church’s social welfare arm was also running awareness programs.

“The Government cannot do everything.

“We also have to do our part to help our nation grow better.”

Pacific Conference of Churches representative Siera Bird (left), UN Women Fiji Multi-Country representative Sandra BernKlau, the Rev Dr Cliff Bird, European Union deputy Head of Delegation Dr Erja Askola and Deaconess Temalesi Makutu during the launch of the Gender Status Card in Suva on Thursday.