Statement
Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan's Message on 70th Anniversary of Bombing of Hiroshima, February 2015
Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan's Message on 70th Anniversary of Bombing of Hiroshima, February 25, 2015
Key Themes and Messages
The Church’s Responsibility for Human Life and Dignity
- The Church cannot remain silent in the face of threats to life and dignity.
- Inspired by Gaudium et Spes, the Church affirms that human problems are its problems, emphasizing solidarity with the poor and afflicted.
Renunciation of War
- Japan’s experience of suffering during WWII, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, led to the adoption of a peace constitution in 1946.
- The bishops reaffirm that renouncing war is a Gospel imperative and a universal human ideal.
- Citing Pacem in Terris and Vatican II, the message rejects the arms race and reliance on military force.
The Japanese Church’s Peace Vocation
- The bishops acknowledge their special calling to work for peace, rooted in remorse for the Church’s attitude during the war.
- They recall Archbishop Shirayanagi’s 1986 apology for Japan’s wartime actions and the Church’s complicity.
Current Challenges
- Rising nationalism and attempts to revise Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution to allow military force overseas.
- Concerns about collective self-defense laws and militarization, especially in Okinawa.
- Calls for dialogue and negotiation rather than militarization to maintain regional stability.
Global Crises and Moral Imperatives
- Pope Francis warns of a “Third World War” scenario amid ongoing conflicts and terrorism.
- Violence in the name of religion, widening economic disparities, and environmental destruction threaten peace.
- The bishops stress the need to overcome indifference, address poverty and ecological issues, and pursue justice and solidarity.
- Quoting Pope John Paul II: “Peace must always be the aim… Let us embark upon the steep and difficult path of peace.”
- The bishops renew their commitment to peace, in union with other Christians, religions, and all who seek peace.