* A Responsible Christian Reflection on Post-Nuclear Society

The Most Rev. Peter Kang U-il, Bishop of Cheju, gave an anti-nuclear lecture entitled “A Responsible Christian Reflection on Post-Nuclear Society” at Catholic Centre in Myeongdong on October 31, 2011. This event was held under the joint auspices of the Association of Major Superiors of Religious Women, ‘Saengmyeong-Pyeonghwa-Majungmul’, an NGO for environmental protection, and the CBCK Committee for Environment.

In his lecture, Bishop Kang said, “The human power to control nature given by Creator is not an absolute power, so the mankind has to draw a line at using the natural environment.” He continued to say that this limitation is symbolically implied in the word of God: ‘You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and bad’ (Gn 2,17). Then he stressed, “This reveals that we should follow also the moral law in using nature.”

He added, “As we saw in the accident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, nuclear power is not a safe and clear energy.” Then he pointed out that it is a sin against ourselves and future generations to make a convenience of dangerous materials for the power generation.”