Story by RNZ Pacific
Fiji’s biggest Christian denomination has joined forces with the state in its efforts to address illicit drug use and the spread of HIV and AIDS in the population.
It comes following the soft launch of a three-year prayer and fasting campaign by the Methodist Church in Fiji and the Ministry of Policing in Suva on Monday.
Fiji has been gripped with a hard drugs crisis as it serves as a gateway for the movement of hard drugs from Southeast Asia and North America bound for the lucrative Australia and New Zealand markets.
The drugs issue is also contributing to the spread of sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV/AIDS, with concerns that it could spread across the region.
Fiji is gripped with a durgs and HIV/AIDS crisis. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Methodist Church in Fiji president Rev Dr Semisi Turaga said the initiative is to become “a defining spiritual public movement”.
“The illegal importation, distribution and use of illicit drugs are destroying our lives, damaging families and threatening the very fabric of our communities in Fiji,” he said.
“At the same time, we are witnessing the painful rise of HIV and AIDS in our communities, sexually transmitted infection, particularly among our young people.”
Rev Dr Semisi said as a faith-based institution with deep roots all around the country, the Methodist Church has the responsibility and the reach to mobilise communities.
He said the three-year plan will unite the Methodist Church congregation in all divisions “with fellowship … especially the young people’s department in sustained spiritual action and practical engagements”.
Fijian Policing Minister Ioane Navalarua said the initiative “is not simply the launch of a Church document”.
“It is a declaration of intent. The Methodist Church of Fiji is saying very clearly, ‘we will not stand by while drugs and HIV threaten our young people, our families and the moral fabric of our nation,” Navalarua said.
The minister said clarity, courage and leadership on the issue is needed, noting that earlier this month leaders from church denominations, NGOs and Fiji Police gathered for the national pastoral response to drugs.
He said when the church and government “stand together … Fiji becomes stronger”.
“It is a generational responsibility. If we delay the cost increases. If we divide, we weaken ourselves. But if we stand together – government, church, vanua, communities – we create protection around our children and protection around our future,” Navalaura said.
“Police will work alongside you, but the moral fire must burn in the Church and also in the vanua.”
Fiji’s Policing Minister says the government and church should “stand together”. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
According to Rev Dr Semisi, the prayer and fasting initiative has four main objectives: mobilise the Church in prayer and fasting for national healing, declare the Church’s firm stance against drugs and HIV and AIDS, promote unity among churches, communities, government, non-government organisations, and the vanua, and to offer hope, support and restoration to those who already affected.
He has also extended an invitation to all Christian denominations in the country to join the initiative, which will officially take-off on Sunday, starting with a march and worship event in the capital Suva.
