Faith Communities’ Commitment to Reconciliation, Truth-Telling, and Healing in Fiji

The Faith Communities’ Commitment to Reconciliation, Truth-Telling, and Healing in Fiji document was developed following a three-day National Faith Leaders’ Dialogue on National Reconciliation, organised earlier this month by the Pacific Conference of Churches in collaboration with the Fiji Council of Churches.

INTRODUCTION This document is borne out of prayer, spiritual discernment and reflections on different religious scriptures over a number of gatherings. It reflects a commitment of Fiji’s Faith Communities to

by national faith leaders commitment to national reconciliation

25 Feb 2025 17:37

The Faith Communities’ Commitment to Reconciliation, Truth-Telling, and Healing in Fiji document was developed following a three-day National Faith Leaders’ Dialogue on National Reconciliation, organized earlier this month by the Pacific Conference of Churches in collaboration with the Fiji Council of Churches.

INTRODUCTION

This document is borne out of prayer, spiritual discernment and reflections on different religious scriptures over a number of gatherings. It reflects a commitment of Fiji’s Faith Communities to nation building including, but also beyond, national reconciliation processes.

This document, while comprehensive, lays important perspectives and foundations to this national process, but will not be the only contribution by faith communities, who are encouraged to formally engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In the same manner, this document is for all organisations and bodies who work in the space of peace, reconciliation and justice in Fiji. Fiji’s journey to national reconciliation is a moral, spiritual, and social imperative that requires a collective effort, with faith communities playing a critical role.

With 99% of the population identifying with a faith tradition1 , faith-based organizations (FBOs) and religious leaders hold a unique responsibility in guiding truth-telling, forgiveness, and national reconciliation efforts.

However, Fiji’s ethnic and religious diversity presents both opportunities and challenges. Historical grievances, socio-economic and political tensions, and cultural differences require a sensitive, inclusive, and action-oriented approach to healing and peacebuilding.

Faith communities recognize the need to work together, ensuring that reconciliation is genuine, transformative, and worthwhile for all people of Fiji.

This joint statement highlights areas of convergence, key challenges, and recommendations, reaffirming the commitment of faith communities to reconciliation, justice, and healing in Fiji.

2. Understanding Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a gift from God and must be approached with deep sincerity, moral integrity, and ongoing commitment. Faith communities define reconciliation as a spiritual, relational and gradual process that involves:

1. a) Self-reflection → Remorse → Repentance → Seeking forgiveness → Healing → Peacebuilding.
2. b) Acknowledging personal and communal responsibility for past actions.
3. c) Restoring fractured relationships with humility, sincerity, and mutual respect.
4. d) Encouraging genuine apologies and heartfelt forgiveness.
5. e) Teaching accountability to future generations to prevent repeating past mistakes.
6. f) Engaging in prayer, listening, and interfaith collaboration to foster national unity.

Representatives from the Archdiocese of Suva, the Anglican Church of Fiji, the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, and the Fiji Muslim League were present at the event.

3. Faith Communities’ Commitment to Reconciliation

Faith communities recognize their responsibility in fostering peace, truth, and justice. As trusted spiritual and moral leaders, we commit to:

1. Promoting Truth-Telling and Transparency a. Leading truth-telling forums to break the culture of silence and stigma.
2. Encouraging honesty, accountability, and sincerity in reconciliation efforts.
3. Providing safe spaces for victims, survivors and perpetrators to share their experiences without fear of judgment or retribution.
4. Advancing Forgiveness and Healing
5. Providing faith-based counselling and trauma healing programs accessible to all communities.
6. Encouraging engagement in opportunities for reconciliation, while upholding justice.
7. Ensuring reconciliation efforts consider both the hurt and the offender, recognizing the need for genuine remorse and accountability.
8. Supporting Justice and Accountability
9. Advocating for restorative justice mechanisms that ensures forgiveness does not take way legal accountability.
10. Ensuring reconciliation is genuine, inclusive, and guided by integrity, allowing time for meaningful healing and lasting unity.
11. Holding perpetrators culturally, morally and legally accountable, regardless of ethnicity or faith background.
12. Building Interfaith Unity and Inclusivity
13. Faith groups commit to working together, acknowledging shared values of justice, peace, and reconciliation.
14. Encouraging interfaith dialogue and reconciliation forums that bridge ethnic and religious divides.
15. Ensuring marginalized voices are heard, including children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
16. Educating Future Generations on Reconciliation
17. Advocating for Integrating reconciliation education into all schools to instil values of forgiveness, justice, and unity.
18. Encouraging children and youth participation in faith-led peacebuilding initiatives.
19. Using media, scripture, creative arts and storytelling to promote reconciliation and interfaith understanding.

3F. Engaging in Policy and Governance for National Healing

1. Advocating for faith-based representation in national reconciliation bodies.
2. Ensuring faith leaders help shape reconciliation policies, emphasizing ethical, inclusive, and just frameworks.
3. Providing moral guidance to political leaders to prevent divisive rhetoric and promote unity.
4. Areas of Convergence (Agreement) Faith communities agree on the following key principles for reconciliation:
5. a) Reconciliation is a gift from God and requires spiritual depth, humility, and sincerity.
6. b) Reconciliation requires self-reflection, remorse, repentance, and forgiveness.
7. c) Truth-telling is necessary for healing, and it must be done in a safe and supportive space.
8. d) Faith communities must actively promote healing, justice, and inclusivity in reconciliation efforts.
9. e) Restorative justice, love, and care must be central to the reconciliation process.
10. f) Interfaith collaboration strengthens peacebuilding efforts.
11. g) Reconciliation must be action-based, not just verbal or cultural.
12. Challenges in an Ethnically and Religiously Diverse Society Despite these areas of agreement, several challenges require deeper discussion and reflection:
13. Faith, Law, and Governance
14. How should faith communities interact with the rule of law?
15. Traditional reconciliation customs should still ensure that the rule of law is followed.
16. Should faith groups submit reconciliation proposals separately or collectively?
17. Defining the Truth That Requires Reconciliation
18. What historical events and injustices need to be acknowledged?
19. How do we address intergenerational trauma and unspoken grievances?

4 c. What are the consequences of unforgiveness at a societal level?

1. Ensuring Inclusivity in Reconciliation
2. How can reconciliation efforts be inclusive of all ethnic and faith groups?
3. How do we ensure that persons with disabilities and marginalized communities are included?
4. What mechanisms should be in place to protect victims and ensure safe spaces?
5. Making Reconciliation Action-Oriented
6. How do we ensure reconciliation is not superficial or performative?
7. How do we move beyond dialogue into practical change?
8. How do we sustain reconciliation efforts for future generations?
9. Faith-Based Proposals and Recommendations To achieve meaningful reconciliation, faith communities recommend the following actions:
10. a) Uniting faith-based communities in structured dialogue and collaboration.
11. b) Increasing community outreach programs on reconciliation and peacebuilding.
12. c) Introducing reconciliation education in schools.
13. d) Creating safe spaces for victims, marginalized groups and perpetrators to share their stories.
14. e) Ensuring faith communities play a mandatory role in national reconciliation efforts.
15. f) Providing trauma support, training counsellors, and expanding interfaith initiatives.
16. g) Advocating for greater collaboration between faith leaders, government, and civil society.
17. h) Ensuring reconciliation remains an on-going process, not a one-time event.

7. Conclusion

Fiji’s ethnic and religious diversity must be recognized as a source of strength rather than a source of division.

Faith communities hold the moral, spiritual, and social authority to guide healing, truth-telling, and national unity. We, as faith leaders and communities, commit to working together to ensure reconciliation is inclusive, just, and transformative.

We call on:

• Religious leaders to actively participate in fostering peace, justice, and unity
• Government and civil society to collaborate with faith groups in shaping national reconciliation policies.
• Traditional and Cultural leadership such as the Great Council of Chiefs to reflect on this offering by faith leaders.
• All people of Fiji to embrace reconciliation as a moral and spiritual responsibility.
• Moral values education in schools to include texts of the various faiths to strengthen the learning process.
• The next generation to carry forward the values of peace, forgiveness, and healing. Through faith, humility, and collective action, we believe that genuine reconciliation and lasting peace are possible for all people of Fiji.

SOURCE: National Faith Leaders Commitment to National Reconciliation