Pax Christi International’s co-presidents called for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, warning that reliance on nuclear deterrence risks normalizing violence rather than securing lasting peace.
Sister Teresia Wamuyu Wachira and Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo made the appeal in a joint reflection marking the 81st anniversary of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
“As we commemorate this day, let us remember that each time we keep silent, fail to act decisively by allowing nuclear weapons as a show of might; wiring our minds and hearts on the fact that nuclear weapons can deter and bring lasting peace, we are not only deceiving ourselves; today’s and generations to come, but, normalising a culture of violence; in fact, annihilating the very life we claim to protect, secure and save through their use,” they said.
The two Pax Christi leaders said remembrance should be accompanied by action toward nuclear disarmament.
“Today, therefore, as we reflect and accompany the atomic bomb survivors and their families, it is an opportunity for each one of us to advocate and take action towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons,” they said.
They also called for dialogue and diplomacy in place of reliance on nuclear arms.
“Let us promote dialogue in families, communities and nations and diplomacy among states as we work towards ‘unarmed and disarming peace’ (Pope Leo, XIV),” they said.
Wachira and Bagaforo said the consequences of the Nagasaki bombing went beyond the destruction inflicted in 1945, leaving physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual scars on survivors, their families and humanity.
“Lest we forget those who lost their lives; carry the devastating scars in broken bodies and spirits… Lest we forget this 81 devastating years today…” they wrote.
Their appeal came as Pax Christi International continued its “Lanterns for Peace: from Hiroshima to the World” campaign around the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and Nagasaki on Aug. 9.
The campaign drew participation from communities and organizations in several countries through commemorative events, vigils, prayers and other initiatives promoting peace and nonviolence.
Pax Christi said participants lit lanterns and prayed for hope and a renewed commitment to peace. The organization is collecting reports from its sections and civil society groups to document activities held around the world.
Pax Christi said the work of remembrance has become more urgent as the nuclear threat again becomes a tangible reality in the social and political landscape.
In its Nagasaki commemoration, the organization noted that the second atomic bomb was dropped three days after Hiroshima, after the devastating consequences of the first bombing had already been witnessed.
Pax Christi said remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki carries a responsibility to prevent such destruction from happening again and to strengthen a collective commitment to nonviolence.
