The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town has sent a message of condolence and solidarity to the archbishop of Japan's disaster-struck Nippon Sei Ko Kei and Hokkaido regions.
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, of Cape Town, said that he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the natural disaster that struck Japan on Friday, in a letter to his counterpart Archbishop Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu.
“I have been stunned by the pictures which are reaching us with the images of human tragedy, displacement and the physical damage to so many structures in many communities,” Makgoba said.
He said that he wanted to assure the Japanese archbishop and the Japanese people that they were in his prayers.
“On behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, I send our condolences to the families of those who died or are missing and the assurance of our prayerful support in the days ahead.”
Makgoba said that despite South Africa's geographic distance, “we are one in Christ, you remain our neighbour and we are touched by your pain and loss”.
The archbishop made reference to the 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) which is to be held in Durban later this year.
He said that he hoped COP 17 would lead to binding protocols to contribute to “the reversal of climate change and signal a new global effort and commitment to respect the integrity of creation and our environment”. - Sapa