[3128] WCRC Northeast Asia meeting in Taiwan highlights the importance of ecological preservation

WCRC Northeast Asia meeting in Taiwan highlights the importance of ecological preservation

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

Written by Lydia Ma

The World Council of Reformed Churches (WCRC) Northeast Asia Area Council (NEAAC) biennial meeting was held at Presbyterian Bible College in the city of Hsinchu on January 31 to February 2, 2012. This year’s meeting focused on ecological preservation and nearly 30 representatives from churches in northeast Asia, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong attended the meeting.

WCRC General Secretary Setri Nyomi’s keynote address was based on reflections from the Accra Confession signed in 2004 in Ghana. Following his address, delegates from other churches also offered their thoughts on some ecological issues and theological reflections related to these issues.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

“In the name of development, we have destroyed our natural resources and put in their places monuments of human greed. Our lifestyles have often led to unnecessary emissions of greenhouse gasses,” Nyomi said, referring to the role of industrialized countries in perpetuating climate change and ecological destruction.

In view of recent environmental disasters and economic woes, he urged Christians to renew their commitment to fight against ecological and economic injustice, including human trafficking and greenhouse effect and other issues mentioned in the Accra Confession.

Nyomi underscored that greenhouse effect was destroying the earth’s ecology and though everyone is aware of this problem, few are willing to take action and do something about it. He added that such an attitude was not only destructive but also contrary to God’s command for humans to be good stewards of the environment. Hence, Christians must no longer remain silent, but rather, live out their God-given calling.  

The council elected new officers for the years 2012 and 2013 at this meeting. Yoshi Fujimori of the Church of Christ in Japan was elected to succeed Chen Yang-en of the PCT who had just reached his term limit as President of the WCRC.