Tainan Presbytery pastors hope to promote anti-nuclear movement by trading pulpits

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

3135 Edition

March 26-April 1, 2012

Church Ministry News

Tainan Presbytery pastors hope to promote anti-nuclear movement by trading 
pulpits

Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan

Written by Lydia Ma

If a nuclear spill similar to the one that took place in Fukushima in March 
2011 were to happen in Taiwan, where would you run to? This was the questioned 
raised by Tainan Presbytery’s Church and Society Committee in one of its newest 
projects whereby interested pastors can trade pulpits on one Sunday to speak on 
the perils of nuclear energy and raise support for a nuclear-free homeland.

Tainan Presbytery Church and Society Committee Secretary Sung Hsin-hsi said 
that he would propose a motion at an upcoming presbytery meeting to start a 
program whereby pastors could trade pulpits to raise awareness against nuclear 
energy. If the motion is passed, he hopes that all pastors in Tainan Presbytery 
can trade pulpits on June 3, which is also known as Environment Sunday, and 
speak on why Taiwan should oppose the use of nuclear energy. If the motion is 
not passed, he still hopes that pastors who are interested in promoting this 
issue can trade pulpits amongst themselves.

“This is a life-and-death issue. If anything goes wrong in a nuclear plant, 
where will Taiwanese run to for cover?” Sung said, adding that the theme for 
that Sunday will be “Where will you run for cover?” and pastors will emphasize 
that a nuclear-free homeland will make Taiwan a safer place. He added that no 
one can guarantee that nuclear power is safe and though the dangers wrought by 
nuclear energy are not visible to the naked eye, they are nevertheless 
far-reaching and do not weaken with time.

“Nuclear radiation will not kill people instantly. Instead, people die a slow 
and painful death,” Sung said. He hopes that Tainan Presbytery will lead other 
presbyteries in promoting anti-nuclear energy events. He underscored at the 
same time that it was also important to urge church congregations to save 
electricity in their everyday living. If people were to do so, there would be 
enough energy to satisfy the needs of everyone.

During a missions summit between PCT and UCCJ in February, the Japanese church 
gave a report on the present effects of nuclear radiation in the aftermath of 
last year’s earthquake and tsunami and UCCJ officials urged Taiwanese people to 
pay attention to the problems of nuclear pollution. Their report left a deep 
impression on Sung, who realized that something needed to be done to raise 
awareness. 

According to reports, some pastors from Tainan Presbytery have already agreed 
to promote opposition to the use of nuclear energy and they hoped to make a 
difference starting from their own presbytery before moving on to influence 
other presbyteries.

“Humanity cannot afford to be self-centered and short-sighted. Nuclear energy 
is not only unsafe, nuclear wastes are big problems as well. Our church should 
have the “prophetic sense” to point this out. It should be at the forefront 
raising awareness about the dangers of nuclear energy,” said Sung. He vowed 
that Tainan Presbytery would promote a nuclear-free homeland through various 
activities and he also broach this issue at the Church and Society Committee 
meetings in the PCT General Assembly. 

 

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