WCC to Mark Chernobyl Anniversary with Interfaith Ceremony

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is organizing an interfaith ceremony and panel discussion.

By Daniel Blake, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, April 26, 2006

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is organizing an interfaith ceremony and panel discussion in partnership with Green Cross International.

Representatives from Geneva’s Jewish, Islamic and Christian communities will participate in the ceremony. In addition, a member of the discussion panel, Russian Orthodox Church Representative the Rev. Mikhail Gundaev will comment on his Church's decision to make St Thomas Sunday – Apr. 30 – a day of prayer for the victims and the survivors of Chernobyl in all Russian Orthodox churches.

Churches in several other European countries and cities are also planning ceremonies and prayers to mark the day. Kiev, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Budapest, Exeter and Bern are among those arranging events.

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Another panel member, Green Cross International Communications Director Mrs Nadia Sikorsky, will present her organization’s Chernobyl-related activities.

As a Geneva-based non-governmental organization concerned with environmental problems, Green Cross International is chaired by former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev, and runs social, medical and education programs among populations living in still contaminated parts of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

The Interfaith Ceremony and Panel Discussion will take place at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Apr. 26.