Fiji Council of Churches calls on religious leaders to use their scriptures and teachings to encourage their members to get vaccinated and adhere to COVID-19 regulations

The Fiji Council of Churches is conducting webinars and is calling on the church and religious leaders to use their scriptures and teachings to encourage their members to get vaccinated and adhere to COVID-19 regulations.

While speaking to the church leaders and representatives during their first Webinar, President of the Fiji Council of Churches, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong says this is one of their response plans as they look into the theological perspective of the different messages that are coming out right now about the vaccine.

Archbishop Chong says this will be their contribution in helping the government to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Archbishop Chong also had a virtual meeting with the Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, the Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong and Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Jemesa Tudravu, to listen to the Ministry of Health and help clarify the churches’ pastoral responses.

In this meeting, the churches recommended that people need a clear pathway to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to build their hope and positive attitude.

They said people are confused because of inconsistent messages.

It was highlighted that one of messages was the virus moves when people move and the next thing they hear is that borders are opening to generate the economy.

They recommended that government needs to formulate a well-researched strategy and communicate it to the people.