RELIGIOUS leaders in the Pacific must speak out on mining and other issues which have an impact on the lives of the people.

Methodist Church in Fiji President, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, said the people were often left on their own to fight the injustices of social ills which threatened their wellbeing.

“The church must stand with the people. In Fiji mining is affecting the lives of our people and we must listen to their voices,” he told the Pacific Conference of Churches 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands.

“Mining and logging are having an impact on the lives of many people in our rural communities. If we do not change the way we care for the people and meet their needs in these specific situations, we have failed them.”

Rev Waqairatu said Jesus Christ was a compassionate social worker who reached out to the marginalized and oppressed.

He called on delegates at the assembly to follow Christ’s example and work with the poor, the needy and those who were neglected by the authorities.

Delegates also heard that the region was under threat from foreign powers which were able to influence the elite of the Pacific.

This was an apparent reference to corrupt logging, fisheries and mining practices which have been reported in several regional countries.

Rev Taufue Lausama of the Ekelesiano Kelisiano Tuvalu (Tuvalu Christian Church) said churches must work together to address what he described as “common, burning issues”.

“We need to act collectively of we are to influence the world beyond the Pacific,” he said.

Later this week the PCC will address joint initiatives on environmental issues.

Source: PCC