Bermuda is “sick” and “in shambles”, Bishop Vernon G. Lambe declared at the PLP’s 48th annual banquet last night.

Delivering the keynote address at the black-tie function, Bishop Lambe spoke for 45 impassioned minutes about the Island’s recent woes, particularly violence among the youth population.

“Bermuda is sick, and we need a physician,” the veteran church leader told a captivated audience at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

“We’re living in a world today where we’ve got wireless, keyless, sleeveless, we’ve got jobless, shameless, careless, we’ve got fearless and we’ve got fatherless,” he added.

Bishop Lambe called for an end to the “fratricide repeatedly performed by our own flesh and blood, on our own flesh and blood.

“Our prisons are filled with our children. Our children are killing our children. It’s got to stop,” he said.

To prevent an “epidemic”, Bishop Lambe — who has previously represented Bermuda at the United Nations — said that the society needed to rediscover its moral compass and turn back to traditional family life.

“In order for us to properly medicate the sickness, we must identify the disease. Part of the disease in our country is the fact that our foundations have been destroyed,” said Bishop Lambe.

“Family is at the core of every society. Any community that doesn’t place emphasis on the preservation of family is destined for ruin,” he said.

Bishop Lambe urged the Opposition party to set aside political manoeuvring and “break the mould” in order to tackle its goals more directly.

“We do not have to waste time in the cut and thrust of Westminster-style adversarial governance,” he said.

“May I submit to you, PLP, don’t waste the rest of your years fighting petty battles. Set your eyes on a higher goal.

“It’s not just about us, it’s about the generation following us.”