By shocked Japan

Friday, March 11, 14:46 hrs: the earth shakes in Japan, off the North-Eastern coasts, in the region of Tohoku. After a few minutes, a devastating tsunami wipes out everything. The quake affected also the nuclear plant of Fukushima, which did not withstand the impact of the seismic activity and the resulting tsunami. Europe watches and reacts. On the forefront of intervention are also Christian churches’ appeals to prayer and solidarity, with direct contacts with Christian churches in Japan, which released dramatic reports. Stories and images. "We see homes devastated, whole towns that were swallowed by the tsunami, and houses that continue to burn because fire fighters are unable to reach both the properties and the people who were the victims of this catastrophe. With hearts filled with grief and helplessness we see people who are mourning their lost loved ones and others who search tirelessly for missing family members. Towns and villages were obliterated by the tsunami, everything was gone in a second". the Archbishop of the Anglican Communion in Japan the Most Revd Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, released a statement on the earthquake that hit his Country, highlighting the Japan’s handling of the situation. The Archbishop described the explosions at the Fukushima nuclear reactor: "The stories and images constantly broadcast by the media have left people lost for words, unable to describe the sheer scale of the unbelievable devastation caused by the earthquake, tsunami and fires". The Archbishop said that since the earthquake the Provincial office has worked very hard to find out about the people and the churches in Tohoku diocese. However, with much difficulty past Saturday the Archbishop finally managed to contact the Bishop of Tohoku diocese Rev John Hiromichi Kato. Bishop Kato explained that there is particular concern for two churches: Isoyama St Peter’s Church in Fukushima Prefecture and Kamaishi Shinai Church and the kindergarten in Iwate that were close to the sea. Priests have been frantically trying to confirm that their parishioners are safe. A small sign of life came about with the news that the Sendai Christchurch (the Cathedral church), which is badly damaged, past Sunday, while there were still so many aftershocks, carried out the first Sunday after Lent service in the diocesan office. As for Tohoku diocese the church is planning to establish an emergency relief centre within the diocesan building. Bishop Kato will lead the efforts to respond to the crisis. "What we can do right now, however, is pray. Prayer has power. I hope and request that you pray for the people who are affected, for those who have died and for their families. Pray for the people involved with the rescue efforts, and in particular pray for Tohoku and Kita Kanto dioceses".The appeal of Patriarch Bartholomew. From Istanbul, Ecumenical Patriarch Of Constantinople Bartholomew I, urged world Countries "to a reconsideration of the nuclear policy". The Patriarch – renowned supporter of environmental protection and promoter of international initiatives to this regard – thus declared in a message released on the aftermath of the explosions at the Fukushima nuclear reactor: "Every corner of the planet is offering prayers both for the repose of the departed souls and for the support of those who continue to be grieved and imperiled by the ensuing seismic tremors and ferocious tsunami. Lamentably, yet another calamitous consequence has struck the region with the explosion of the nuclear plant at Fukushima, rendering still more frightening the recent nightmare in Japan. The disastrous ramifications of this event will become more evident over the next days. Of course, with regard to the earthquake, no human response is adequate. The causes and results eclipse human words. Nevertheless, with regard to the explosion of the nuclear reactor and the aftermath of a nuclear adversity, there is indeed a response that we are called to make". "With all due respect to the science and technology of nuclear energy and for the sake of the survival of the human race – continues Patriarch Bartholomew in his message – we counter-propose the safer green forms of energy, which both moderately preserve our natural resources and mindfully serve our human needs. Our Creator granted us the gifts of the sun, wind, water and ocean, all of which may safely and sufficiently provide energy. Ecologically-friendly science and technology has discovered ways and means of producing sustainable forms of energy for our ecosystem. Therefore, we ask: Why do we persist in adopting such dangerous sources of energy?. "From the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we raise fervent prayers for our beloved Japanese people for the trial and tribulation it currently faces, while at the same time passionately appeal to all those responsible for a reconsideration of the nuclear policy of nations throughout the world".