The Maryland Catholic Conference issued a statement Aug. 6 asking for a renewed commitment to worldwide peace on the 80th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that helped lead to the end of World War II.
The Annapolis-based MCC represents the public policy interests of the bishops who serve Maryland and their dioceses – the archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington, Del.
The nuclear bombing attacks on the Japanese cities – conducted by the United States on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945, in an effort to force the surrender of Japan – killed an estimated 110,000 to 210,000 people.
The MCC statement reads:
Eighty years ago, the world witnessed an unspeakable tragedy with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In mere moments, tens of thousands of lives were lost, and generations of suffering and trauma followed. Today, we pause to remember the innocent victims, to mourn with those who still carry the scars of that devastation, and to stand in prayerful solidarity with the people of Japan.
On this solemn anniversary, we recommit ourselves to the work of peace – peace rooted not in fear, but in justice, reconciliation, and the shared hope for a world free of nuclear weapons. We honor the witness of the hibakusha, the survivors who have courageously shared their stories, and we join our voices to theirs in calling for an end to the proliferation of arms that threaten all humanity.
May this anniversary stir our consciences and awaken a renewed commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and the building of a global culture of peace. May the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki lead us, not to despair, but to action – so that no people, anywhere, will ever again endure such devastation.
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