As the national crisis continues to deepen, marked by rising drug trafficking, an increase in teenage pregnancies, sexual crimes, and a surge in HIV/AIDS cases, a Methodist Church leader has expressed criticism of the church’s inaction. Reverend Iliesa Koroi, who serves as the Evangelism Secretary for the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, has pointed out the church’s neglect in addressing these pressing issues and emphasized the urgent need for more proactive measures.
Reverend Koroi’s remarks indicate that both the government and the community, or ‘vanua,’ are weary from their attempts to combat these social challenges, attributing part of this exhaustion to the church’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities. He stated, “The Government and the ‘vanua’ have exhausted themselves in trying to combat these social issues because we, the prophets, are not doing our job.”
He further criticized church leaders for their lack of impact, asserting, “People don’t change through education but through the word of God.” He lamented that the fatigue experienced by the government and community leaders is a result of religious figures not adequately performing their roles, declaring, “The men of God are sleeping on the job.”
The reverend called attention to the urgent need for the church to engage more with young people who are facing challenges related to HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, and pornography. He stressed that without internal change facilitated by a spiritual foundation, law enforcement would struggle to effectively combat drug issues. “The police will get tired of uprooting and raiding drugs when these issues are not addressed from within themselves, and for this to happen, it needs God,” he stated. “Only God can change Fiji.”
Reverend Koroi also highlighted the importance of family unity and prayer, expressing concern over the modern family’s departure from spiritual practices. He urged families to prioritize spending time together and praying collectively.
Additionally, he criticized the proposal from Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, to reinstate the death penalty for serious drug offenders, calling such an approach ineffective. “She is a minister but can’t address the issue properly; instead, she proposes death. That is not the solution,” he remarked. He emphasized the need to tackle the underlying causes of crime instead of resorting to extreme measures, stating, “We must address the root of the problem, which is the desire within a person.”
Reverend Koroi is advocating for unity among religious leaders, calling on all faith communities to work together in addressing the nation’s severe social issues. “Let’s work together,” he urged as he began his new term in office.