Spain, Dec. 9 -- The General Secretary for the Pacific Conference of Churches has told Scott Morrison that the coal industry is killing the Pacific region.

The General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches, Fijian clergyman and climate advocate Reverend James Bhagwan made the incendiary remarks on Day 8 of the COP25 climate conference in Madrid, Spain, overnight during a panel discussion on climate change through the prism of the Pacific concept of neighbour.

"As much as I love him [Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison] as a Christian brother, each lump of coal represents a nail in our coffins and to our crosses," the Methodist leader said.

Without singling Australia out the reverend used the biblical story of the Good Samar...