According to CANA, Opposition Leader Dr. Peter Phillips has held talks with church leaders on allegations of corruption in Jamaica, according to a press release issued here.
It said that Phillips, who met with the leaders to discuss the deterioration of traditional moral values and norms, had said corruption had overtaken various agencies of government.
The statement said that Phillips had identified these issues as the causes for the indiscipline and criminality threatening to overrun several communities and the country.
According to the statement, the church leaders, who were not identified, shared their own views on the matter and offered their suggestions for remedial action that would involve the Church, schools, families, and the wider communities.
“The meeting agreed that the nation and its central moral principles were being challenged at every level. A national dialogue is urgently needed in order to define possible remedial action. Additionally, the meeting explored a partnership which will seek to work with political and sector leaders, with a clear view to contain the gross materialism which threatens to overrun the country,” the statement from the Office of the Opposition leader noted.
It said a major item for discussion was the need for a new approach to education and resocialisation of the people. It said there was a consensus that the process of economic and social reconstruction should be at the top of the national agenda going forward.
“The church leaders all pledged their support to continue the dialogue, while seeking to strengthen their programmes where applicable to aid this process,” said the release.