On the anniversary of Fukushima’s nuclear disaster, in Japan, various creeds were set to form an international anti-nuclear movement, but it was not to be.
In contrast with other religions, the Japanese Catholic Church did not attend the anti-nuclear demonstrations in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung.
The first anniversary of the earthquake that provoked the Japanese nuclear disaster was going to mark the beginning of a “green brotherhood” that would put pressure on the Japanese government to abandon completely all atomic programs, to close down the three working nuclear plants in the country and to stop the building of a fourth.
Roughly seventy creeds and religions joined the appeal of the movement’s organizers who have been coordinated by a Buddhist nun, Shih Chao-Hwei. The conference of bishops and the Catholic congregations however refused to join in.
The Japanese ChurchVatican has asked them to remain neutral in regards to nuclear power. follows the guidelines recommended by the Holy See and the bishops explained that the
As far as energy sources are concerned, Paragraph 470 of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church invites scientists to carry on in their triple effort of identifying new energy sources, of developing alternative ones and of increasing security levels for nuclear power plants.
“The Episcopal conference does not object if priests and believers individually decide to join anti-nuclear demonstrations and initiatives” said the Japanese bishops’ spokesman. “Nuclear power is a fundamental right for economic and social development” reiterated Mgr. Giampolo Crepaldi, archbishop of Trieste and former secretary of the pontifical council for ‘Justice and Peace’, during the conference organized by the Nuclear Plant Management Company (SOGIN).
After all the Holy See is one of the founders of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA) promoting “the common good” by following up close the process of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as promoting research in the field and the peaceful application of nuclear technology”.
“Once the safety of the nuclear power plants and storage facilities has been ensured and the production, distribution and trading of atomic energy rigorously regulated, I believe we might have the suitable premises for an integrated energy policy which will include green energy sources and also nuclear power.”
Mgr. Crepaldi highlighted how the Social Doctrine of the Church includes nuclear energy in the number of “mankind’s shared responsibilities that will ensure humanity’s future progress. There is no need to protect the rights of the environment, contrary to what we often hear, since the environment intended as nature does not have rights, but we must respect the rights of the people, including the poor, the poor of today, of tomorrow and all generations to come”. Over the years the Holy See has often reiterated the need to use the energy sources gained through the application of nuclear disarmament treaties to help the development of poorer Countries. Pope Benedict XVI in the Message for the World Day of Peace in 2006 specified that nuclear reactors are the only way “to destroy forever the uranium and plutonium derived from the disarmament of nuclear missiles; by turning them into energy.”
The Church “holds science, technology and human progress in high regard” while at the same time inviting mankind to be careful. This should not be confused with insecurity or an attitude of “sitting on the fence” or wanting to give up, being paralyzed when making decisions, feeling nostalgia for the past and blanket pessimism for the future.
“Being careful” explained archbishop Crepaldi “means soldiering on, but only after a careful evaluation of God’s original plans for mankind. And nuclear power should be seen in this perspective”.
This position had already been expressed by cardinal Renato Martino on Vatican Radio on the twentieth anniversary of Chernobyl’s catastrophe: “When using such energy sources it is important to be prudent and take the necessary measures to avoid disaster. It’s like teaching a child to use a knife. One must be careful because it can be dangerous, but if used appropriately it can be valuable”. He also expressed the hope that there won’t be any ideological approach in matters regarding nuclear power for civil use, but rather a pragmatic approach, not moved by preconceived ideas of pros or cons, but aimed at using nuclear power in safety”.
Keeping in mind the energy crisis which is “progressively strangling” poorer countries, the matter of atomic power divides the Orthodox (against) and the Catholics (pro).
While in Istanbul the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I is launching a felt appeal to the international community for the cessation of nuclear programs altogether, especially after the Japanese disaster, in the Vatican the considerations expressed in 2009 by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace are still valid.
Even though nuclear weapons are of course severely condemned, nuclear power is considered “a fundamental right for economic and social development”. In short the presence and use of energy coming from the latest nuclear power plants ,which are very safe and protected according to the Church, ought to remain a viable option for Countries willing to take that route in terms of energy sources.
The then president of the Justice and Peace department, cardinal Martino, organized a confidential international summit attended by scientists, physicists and experts on the subject.
The day was dedicated to study and debates and it was useful to gain information and knowledge in order to draft an evaluation guide for the Vatican’s internal use.
The objective was to provide the episcopates that wanted to know the Church’s view on the subject with a uniform perspective.