Christian State proposal raised again during Constitution review

The call for Fiji to be declared a Christian State has resurfaced during public consultations on the review of the 2013 Constitution.

Representatives from the Komave district in Nadroga say the country's laws should reflect Christian values and beliefs.

Speaking on behalf of the district at the Constitutional Review Commission consultation at Namatakula Village, Jonathan David said proposed constitutional amendments should clearly state that Fiji is a Christian State.

Mr David said Christianity had played a significant role in shaping Fiji's identity, culture and way of life for generations and should be recognised in the nation's supreme law.

"We believe Fiji should be recognised as a Christian country in the Constitution," he said during the consultation.

He said Christian principles had guided many communities throughout the country and continued to influence how people lived, worked and interacted with one another.

Mr David also called for changes to the process of appointing the President.

"This responsibility should be returned to the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC)," he said.

"The GCC represents the voices of indigenous communities across Fiji."

Mr David said restoring that responsibility would strengthen traditional leadership structures and ensure greater respect for Fiji's customs and cultural institutions.

The submission reflects calls from some communities for greater recognition of traditional governance systems and Christian values within Fiji's constitutional framework.

The review process is expected to gather a wide range of views before recommendations are considered for possible constitutional reforms.

According to global demographic estimates, Christianity is the world's largest religion, with more than 2.6 billion followers.