KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition leader, Dr Peter Phillips, on Wednesday met with religious leaders to discuss the “high levels” of corruption that he says has overtaken various agencies of the government.

A statement from the People’s National Party (PNP) today said the meeting was called to address the deterioration of traditional moral values and norms which lay beneath the indiscipline and criminality threatening to over-run communities and the country.

Phillips noted that church leaders had 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,” he said.

“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,” Phillips added.

The statement said in a joint effort, Phillips and the religious leaders, seek to provide a new approach to education and re-socialisation of the people as there as an agreement that the process of economic and social reconstruction should be at the top of the national agenda going forward.

It is said the church leaders all pledged their support to continue the dialogue; while seeking to strengthen their programmes where applicable to aid this process.