Patriarch Bartholomew tells Japan and world to stop nuclear energy

(March 15, 2011) The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople in a message of solidarity to the people of Japan and the world, called for the development of alternative energy. Patriarch Bartholomew I, in a heartfelt appeal on Monday said “The use of nuclear energy is a provocation against nature, which turns on humans." The message was sent on the first Sunday of Lent, also called the Sunday of Orthodoxy. His message said "With a heart heavy with pain - all humanity is witnessing the tragedy that has struck the land of Japan, causing the death of many of our brothers and sisters. Prayers are being lifted from all corners of the earth, as a sign of solidarity with our Japanese brethren". The message also said “The disaster caused by the terrible earthquake and tsunami, has been worsened by the nightmare of radioactive contamination due to the explosion of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima. He said “ With all due respect for the human face of scientific knowledge of its potential use for the production of nuclear energy to meet the needs of humanity, we dare to propose the use of scientific knowledge for the production of alternative energy sources, the so-called 'green' energy, that is friendly to the environment and thus for humanity.”
Patriarch Bartholomew pointed out that "our Creator has given us the sun, wind, waves, from which energy can be extracted for our needs. An ecological science has the ability to invent tools for the production of renewable energy that is not harmful, he added. We take the opportunity to make an appeal to States to reconsider their policy on nuclear energy" concluded the Patriarch’s message.