Today, 79 years after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima, we continue to recognize the special need for prayer as we move closer on a path to nuclear war, and indeed the destruction of all humanity. We implore everyone to focus on the absolute necessity to rid our planet of these powerful and evil weapons.
We ask for courage and patience for ourselves, but also for our adversaries as we continue to provoke more violence leading to our own annihilation.
We ask for forgiveness for bringing us to this place in human history, by creating these weapons, by using them and for keeping and maintaining them for supposed deterrence and raising the likelihood of their possible use whether by intention or by accident.
We ask that we come together in love and understanding of each other, that we are all part of divine creation meant to care for each other and our world.
Pax Christi’s imperative of prayer, study, and action calls us to participate in whatever way we can: in our own personal lives, in our organizations and in our communities. We are a community of global citizens, using our prayers, our voices and actions to create awareness for the urgency of nuclear disarmament. We hold in our hands the future or the destruction of our planet. Use every positive effort to save our world.
Joyce Hall, Pax Christi Dallas
Each year, we remember the horrific events of August 6 and August 9, 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only time nuclear weapons have been used against human targets.
For 79 years, the earth and its inhabitants have lived under the threat of nuclear destruction. Trillions of dollars have gone into their development and maintenance, while actual human needs of shelter, health care, food, and education are deeply underfunded.
From its founding in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, Pax Christi has prioritized the work of nuclear disarmament. The Pax Christi International secretariat is a proud member of the Nobel Peace-prize awardee International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons.
As Pope Francis said in his June 2022 message to the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, “Nuclear weapons are a costly and dangerous liability. They represent a ‘risk multiplier’ that provides only an illusion of a ‘peace of sorts.’ Here, I wish to reaffirm that the use of nuclear weapons, as well as their mere possession, is immoral. Trying to defend and ensure stability and peace through a false sense of security and a ‘balance of terror,’ sustained by a mentality of fear and mistrust inevitably ends up poisoning relationships between peoples and obstructing any possible form of real dialogue. Possession leads easily to threats of their use, becoming a sort of ‘blackmail’ that should be repugnant to the consciences of humanity.”
>> Tuesday, August 6: Third annual nuclear prayer day, “Spiritual Power: Hope in Action for Nuclear Weapons Abolition,” 12 pm Eastern. Use this link to directly join the Zoom event (no registration required.)
>>Tuesday, August 6: Join the Franciscan Peace Center for a virtual prayer service, from 6-7 PM CDT (7-8 PM Eastern). Participants are encouraged to register in advance to receive a reminder before the event. The prayer service will also be recorded for those unable to attend the live session. Use this link to register.
>>Check the Back from the Brink website for lists of commemoration events taking place around the country.
Several Pax Christi local and regional groups have organized events in their own areas. (See the list here.) Consider organizing a commemoration activity in your community. Use this link to send any details to Pax Christi USA to be added to our calendar of events.
- Our Prayer-Study-Action email on the anniversary of the atomic bombings, calling for action to protect those who have been affected by radiation exposure.
- UPDATED: Novena for nuclear disarmament, created by Pax Christi Maine and repurposed for the Archdioceses of Santa Fe and Seattle’s pilgrimage to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 2023
- Prayers for the 40-day fast for Christian nonviolence (July 1-August 9), prepared by Rosemarie Pace, Pax Christi New York. (Read more about the 40-day fast here.)
- The Clinton Franciscans offer this interactive quiz designed to raise awareness about the critical issue of nuclear weapons proliferation across the globe.
- Nuclear arms race PDF
- Use this link to find a compilation of pop culture responses to nuclear weapons. (Thanks to Nick Mele for his work on this.)
Find additional resources for observing these commemorations at the following links:
- Prayer service for Hiroshima Day adapted and designed by Rosemarie Pace of Pax Christi New York
- Pastoral letter from Archbishop John C. Wester calling for nuclear disarmament (available for purchase in hard copy here)
- The Risk of the Cross: Living Gospel nonviolence in the nuclear age, written by Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Art Laffin. Designed for small group reflection and discussion.
- A prayer for nuclear disarmament
- “Nuclear Weapons Are Illegal” banner
- Resources from our 75th anniversary commemorations in 2020
- Additional resources on nuclear disarmament
HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI COMMEMORATIONS 2024
(To add your event, send the info to Stephen Niamke, Pax Christi USA National Field Organizer, at sniamke@paxchristiusa.org)
NEW YORK CITY/Pax christi Metro New York
Saturday, August 3, 12:30 PM Eastern: Pax Christi Metro New York invites you to join in prayer and public witness on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Gather at the Gandhi statue on the west side of Union Square Park near 14th Street. Use this link to read more at the Pax Christi Metro New York website.
Arlington VA/Dorothy Day Catholic Worker
Tuesday, August 6, 7 AM Eastern: In remembrance of the bombing of Hiroshima, the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker invites all to join them for their weekly prayerful vigil at the southeast side of the Pentagon. Contact Art Laffin for more information: artlaffin@hotmail.com.
Newton, MA/Pax Christi Newton
Tuesday, August 6, noon Eastern: Pax Christi Newton will ring the bells at Our Lady Help of Christians (573 Washington St, Newton, MA 02458) in memory of all those who died in the bombings.
Austin, TX/Pax Christi Austin
Tuesday, August 6, 6:30 PM Central: Pax Christi Austin invites all to a prayer and remembrance service, 6514 Poncha Pass, Austin, TX 78749.
Washington DC/Dorothy Day Catholic Worker
Friday, August 9, noon Eastern: The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker invites all to join them for their annual commemoration of Nagasaki, to be held on the north side of the White House. Contact Art Laffin for more information: artlaffin@hotmail.com.
Washington DC/Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore
Saturday, August 10, 10 AM Eastern: To mark the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore will again team up with Consistent Life Network and Rehumanize International at the White House (Pennsylvania Avenue side) in echoing the call of Pope Francis and countless others for nuclear weapons abolition.
Two new videos:
In the first video, Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Judith Kelly shares the story of how the origami crane came to symbolize nuclear disarmament and peace, and in the second video, she demonstrates how to fold the crane.
I’ve always been fascinated by the beautiful Japanese culture. I’m afraid to visit the country because of our American history with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Years ago I was invited to be an NGO delegate to the international women’s conference in China, all expenses paid, but I couldn’t do it because of the fairly recent Tiananmen Square massacre.
Read about a recent delegation of Pax Christi members to Japan and the warm welcome they received: https://paxchristiusa.org/2024/03/13/pax-christi-usa-members-visit-japan-offer-apology-for-atomic-bomb/
The use of nuclear weapons like ICBMs is unlikely. Who wants to create a nuclear winter? Who wants to occupy a target replete with radiation and rubble?
The US dropped the bombs on Japan to demonstrate its military superiority to Russia. Russia then unveiled its bomb and the Arms Race began never to end.
The Nations having the bomb will have to be extremely careful to prevent accidents such as technical mishaps, false alarms, poor judgement to name a few possibilities.
We can respond to this misguided show of power by responding to God’s Grace. Our prayers can be our minds and hands used peacefully to oppose all weapons. Our lives can adopt monastic practices to dispose us to Grace to act in behalf of justice and nonviolence. Our resources both material and spiritual could be directed to these actions.