Nuclear Disarmament, Peace of the Lord

NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, PEACE OF THE LORD

The Filipino Katoliko church in the Philippines joins the whole international community in chorus calling for nuclear disarmament in time of the commemoration of the eightieth (80th) year since the tragic atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Our deepest respect and affection to the atomic bombing survivors (the hibakusha), who tirelessly and bravely overcome their sufferings to call on the world to be builders of safer world from all forms of hate, wars, militarism and armaments.

Eighty years may have passed but Nagasaki and Hisroshima remain to live as reminders of the horrors of war and nuclear weapons not only built into their streets and every infrastructures but left a scar into their lives since 1945. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused not less than 170,000 deaths inclusive with those who died on the spot and the deaths in the first few months after the bombings until the end of 1945. People in the Philippines has their own horrors with deep wounds in their lives too.

Nowadays, the world is in chaos. Palestinians continue to be suffering from bombardments and genocidal war; Ukrainians are forced to engage in a war of aggression and self-preservation; Burmese and all ethnic minorities in Myanmar struggling to fight the injustices caused by the their own leaders; in Africa and the MiddleEast of Asia civilians are caught in the wars of aggression and internal conflicts; while there’s no sign for the economic and climate crisis to halt. Among these overlapping crises,the mostly affected are the poor civilians, the children, the women, the persons with disabilities, the elders and the planet.

May the continued remembering of the World War II’s Hiroshima (Aug 6) and Nagasaki (Aug 9) draw the world to come as one for a Violence-free, Nuclear-free and War-free world.

In his memoir, a Korean-born Hiroshima bombing survivor Toshio Morimoto said: “If a war were to occur again, it would eventually lead to the extinction of the human race. These days I hear growing calls for a military buildup or a national defense force. This is totally unacceptable. If a war starts, the killing will be terrible. People will kill each other with no hesitation. After the war, people like us will be left to suffer. Two or three generations will suffer. The absence of war is better. Peace is the best.”

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Let us heed the call of the time for a peaceful world that foster justice and humanity.

Let us pray for the souls of the victims of the wars and all the souls and spiritual healing of the survivors. Let us pray.

Most Rev Pedro P. Fenis, Jr
Head Bishop
Filipino Katoliko

www.filipinokatolikoph.org
filipinokatoliko1995@gmail.com
August 6, 2025 / Philippines