Remembering Hiroshima in London

Bishop Thomas McMahon

Pax Christi members took part in Hiroshima events around the country today from Barnet to Kendal and London to Liverpool.

In London Pax Christi members too part in two events. Outside Westminster Cathedral members led times of prayer in memory of those who died in Hiroshima and calling for peace and disarmament today. They also handed out hundreds of leaflets, many in different languages, to communicate with the large tourist population, to remind people of the anniversary and of the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.

Then in Tavistock Gardens, Tavistock Square, an interfaith and civic gathering was coordinated by London Region CND.

Among the speakers was Bishop Thomas McMahon, Emeritus Bishop of Brentwood and Vice-President of Pax Christi. He spoke passionately about the need to keep on raising awareness and campaigning following the vote to renew Trident. He stressed that we must now call the Government account for its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to total nuclear disarmament.

Others speakers were Walter Wolfgang, veteran of CND, Mayor of Camden Nadia Shah, Rev Nagase from the London Peace Pagoda, Mohammed Kozbar, Chair of the Finsbury Park Mosque and Sahrar Ali, Deputy Leader of the Green Party. They were united in their call for the abolition of nuclear weapons, for truth-telling and integrity in political affairs and in a commitment to active nonviolence and peacemaking as the best way to bring about justice and change in society.

The Nagasaki Day Vigil and Peace Walk takes place in London on Tuesday 9 August 10am - 6pm; 7.30pm

This ecumenical service, organised by Pax Christi (020 8203 4884) will take place in the Crypt Chapel, Westminster Cathedral, Ambrosden Ave, Westminster, London SW1P in memory of the 73rd anniversary of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter's execution in 1943 for refusing to serve in Hitler's army. Franz Jagerstatter was beatified in October 2007. (Entrance in Ambrosden Avenue.)

It will be followed at 7.30pm by the Peace Walk from Westminster Cathedral to the London Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park and the Floating Lantern Ceremony at sunset.