Page 12 - Islands Business October 2022

Climate Change Climate Change

A child plays on the shore at Vunisavisavi.

A HOLY VOW

CHURCHES ATTEMPT A LOST CAUSE

On the black sand a child ran, face turned upwards as he Turagavou said.
chased a butterfly. “Our people are suffering, they have questions, they have
Oblivious to the encroachment of rising sea levels and the physical and psychological needs as their lives are impacted
gradual erosion of his village, he ran back and forth - lost in by climate.
this moment. “The church must speak out about what’s happening and
Fifty paces away on the edge of what was once a green at the same time preach about climate change. If the church
playing field, the people of Vunisavisavi turned their faces up- does not address this issue from the pulpit, it must share the
wards as - with representatives of Fiji’s three oldest churches responsibility for what happens to our people.’’
- they chased answers. More than 36% of Fiji’s 900,000 population identify as Meth-
Who will stop the waves? Where can we go? Is this the end? odists in a country which claims to be 64% Christian.
Rising sea levels and salt water intrusion caused by climate Turagavou admits that most Christian churches in Fiji con-
change have taken this coastal settlement to the brink. centrate on preaching salvation and eternal life. He believes
Two centuries ago this was the seat of power of a chief who that there is a need for a drastic shift in focus.
controlled people, land and the sea through alliances and “Salvation is important, but when people have no food, if
conquests. It is said that the Cakaudrove people would not they are homeless, or their minds are on the future safety of
wait for their enemies to land. Instead, they would put out their families, it’s not possible for them to worship meaning-
in their canoes and attack the enemy at sea - their favoured fully,’’ Turagavou said.
battleground. “The environment and our responsibility towards caring for
That same sea - once a sign of their dominance - is now God’s creation - plants, animals and humans - is something I
a weapon of destruction in nature’s deadly arsenal. And as would like to see become part of the church activities.
guardians of this sacred site, the people of Vunisavisavi face a “We must educate people about the environment, develop
final battle. theology which can be preached and also help communities
In this epic struggle they have been joined by the Anglican, like Vunisavisavi which are on the front line.’’
Methodist and Roman Catholic churches, who sent a delega- Turagavou is in line to eventually become president of Fiji’s
tion to listen to the people and see first-hand their situation. largest Christian denomination. With that role will come enor-
Methodist Church in Fiji General Secretary, Reverend Dr mous power and influence to preach a message about care for
Semisi Turagavou, was deeply concerned with what he saw. creation.
“We must do more to help our people and the church can- The Pacific Conference of Churches organised the visit to
not remain silent or blind in the face of climate change,’’ Vunisavisavi to draw the attention of Christian leaders to the

12 Islands Business, October 2022