By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa
Last week was the sad and painful commemoration of the eightieth (80th) anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
These days, numerous meetings at different levels are trying to find ways towards peace.
This summons all of us to build a safer world and foster a climate of peace. Our prayers are essential, as are the simple gestures of peace that we can make around us.
As Pope Leo XIV told the survivors and all of us:
“Though many years have passed, the two cities remain living reminders of the profound horrors wrought by nuclear weapons. Their streets, schools and homes still bear scars—both visible and spiritual—from that fateful August of 1945. In this context, I hasten to reiterate the words so often used by my beloved predecessor Pope Francis: ‘War is always a defeat for humanity.’”
“In our time of mounting global tensions and conflicts, Hiroshima and Nagasaki stand as ‘symbols of memory’ that urge us to reject the illusion of security founded on mutually assured destruction. Instead, we must forge a global ethic rooted in justice, fraternity and the common good.”
Let us pray – especially during the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - and let us act for peace!
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