Pax Christi events commemorating Hiroshima & Nagasaki

Peace cranes

Source: Pax Christi

This year marks 75 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. Last November, on his visit to Japan, Pope Francis reminded us that, 'A world of peace, free from nuclear weapons, is the aspiration of millions of men and women everywhere'.

He is right. This week, all over the world, people will be praying and fasting, listening to the testimonies of the hibakusha - survivors - and strongly calling for an end to nuclear weapons.

The catastrophic death, suffering and destruction that nuclear weapons are designed to deliver, is known to us. In Japan, Pope Francis also said: 'With deep conviction I wish once more to declare that the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home. The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possessing of nuclear weapons is immoral…. We will be judged on this. Future generations will rise to condemn our failure if we spoke of peace but did not act to bring it about among the peoples of the earth. How can we speak of peace even as we build terrifying new weapons of war? How can we speak about peace even as we justify illegitimate actions by speeches filled with discrimination and hate?'

At Pax Christi, we will be meeting online at 8am each morning between 6th and 9th August to reflect, fast and pray together. We will be calling for action to eliminate nuclear weapons. We will have a smaller-than-usual presence outside Westminster Cathedral on Thursday 6th and Sunday 9th between 10 and 11.30am. Pax Christi members across England & Wales will be involved in prayer, witness and action - often joining with other, like-minded people of peace. Our government must stop the Trident nuclear submarine programme and sign the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

More information, including action you can take, is on our website here: https://tinyurl.com/NoMoreNuclearWeapons

Pax Christi International have released a useful video showing how much healthcare could be provided with the money currently squandered on nuclear weapons: https://youtu.be/Njd4Ov6Xsp4

If you would like to join our online liturgies this week, email for information: info@paxchristi.org.uk