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Christian Conference of Asia
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15 March 2012 Korean Christians pray for a "World without Nuclear weapons and Nuclear Power"
God of freedom and liberation!
Facing the 93rd anniversary of
the 1919 Independence Movement, we remember our ancestors, who believed in the
God of the Exodus and courageously rose up toward a future of life.
With the sincere faith of conscience, and
the hope of a joyful life for future generations, they declared this nation's
right to life, freedom and independence, and they prayed for true peace in
Northeast Asia and the world.
But now at the start of the 21st century we witness, with worried and fearful
hearts, that this beautiful peninsula is covered by the dark cloud of nuclear
weapons and power plants.
In this land
where Rachel's lamenting over historical pains has not ceased, and where the
scars of suffering and wrongful death have not healed, once again we see the
shadow of death hanging over us.
On the current
world historical stage, North Korea has chosen nuclear weapons and South Korea
has clung to nuclear energy. The Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia have
become the world's most dangerous nuclear minefield, surrounded by nuclear
weapons and nuclear power plants.
O God, hear our prayers of lament and
repentance!
We lament the foolishness of humanity,
which despite the experience of two world wars in the 20th century, is still
caught in the vicious cycle of increasing wars and weaponry.
We repent that human greed and selfishness
has led us to pour astronomical amounts of money and resources into the arms
race, even as countless children are starving to death in our global village.
God, awaken us to realize that our true
security lies not in nuclear weapons but in trusting you and respecting our
neighbors.
O God, who watches the empires rise and
fall!
Grant wisdom to our governments and
corporations, that they may turn away from their worship of the idol of
unlimited economic growth, which makes the strong prey on the weak. May they
instead choose the way of cosmic truth: the life of conviviality with all
living beings, humans and nature.
As we confess and repent of our sins of
greed and consumerism in pursuit of nuclear power, grant us humble hearts and
simple lives.
Awaken us to know that true wealth is found
not in the accumulation of material goods but in a creative, sharing life.
May we learn that nuclear weapons and
nuclear energy are not compatible with peace. Lead us to be free from nuclear
preoccupation.
Awaken us to know that our true strength is
not in nuclear power but in love and justice.
O God, hear our prayers!
Grant us the courage to go through the
narrow gate that leads us to life, not the wide gate that leads to destruction.
May we leave to
our children not a painful and terrible heritage, but a life that uses natural
energy from your created sun, wind and water.
O God, lead us
Korean Christians not to export nuclear power plants, an act that is contrary
to your command of justice and love, but to live as your apostles of peace,
teaching your life and peace.
Remembering that
on the cross our Lord shared the suffering of the nuclear radiation victims,
and hoping that a new heaven and new earth of life and peace may be realized
from Mount Halla in the south to Mount Paekdu in the north, throughout
Northeast Asia and all the earth, we pray in the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
National Council of Churches in Korea (Committee for Ethics of Life); National Alliance of YMCA in Korea; Korea Church Women Ltd.; Ecumenical Youth Council in Korea; Bible Korea; National Association of Pastors for Justice and Peace;Christian Solidarity Network for Anti-Nuclear Movement
This Prayer was offered at the Worship Service during which the Faith Declaration of Korean
Christians for a "World without
Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power” was
stated.
The declaration is a timely one because of two events:
the anniversary of the Japanese Fukushima Nuclear Reactor disaster on 12
March, 2012 that jolted the world back to the reality of the vulnerability of earth
and humanity and the Nuclear Security Summit to be held, from March 26-27, 2012, in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
This summit gains significance not only because it will be attended by
47 Heads of states and International organizations including the UN,
IAEA, EU as well as INTERPOL, but also because it is being held with the shadow
of the Fukushima disaster looming over it.
As the Republic of Korea prepares to host
and co-ordinate this momentous event, the Korean Christians have published a
Faith declaration “For a world Free of
Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear power.'
This is based on the premise that Nuclear energy and weapons cannot co-exist with peace; Nuclear energy cannot help to overcome global warming, Nuclear waste contaminates earth and therefore destroys life. It calls for liberation from a nuclear culture that is based on greed and consumerism and advocates solidarity for life.
posted by communications on Friday, March 16, 2012 |
