A Reflection from Pax Christi International on the 80th Commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Nuclear Bombings

Eighty years ago, Hiroshima and Nagasaki suffered unimaginable destruction from nuclear violence. Today, standing in this place of loss and resilience, we call on the world to strongly confront the ongoing cycle of violence that wounds humanity.

Pax Christi International reaffirms its commitment to peace and nonviolence as the only true path to lasting justice. In a world still scarred by conflict, from Palestine to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Haiti, and Ukraine, the call to reject violence has never been more urgent!

Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, dialogue, and reconciliation based in diplomacy, truth and reparation for victims. Nonviolence is a powerful force that transforms hearts and breaks the chains of hatred and fear.

On this solemn anniversary, let us renew our dedication to building a world where differences are met with understanding, and disputes resolved peacefully. Inspired by the resilience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s survivors, the Hibakusha, we pledge to continue walking the path of nonviolence, advocating for a future free from nuclear and other weapons, such as killer robots or non-conventional arms, feeding conflicts.

Our mission is grounded in the conviction that every person is created in the image of God, endowed with dignity, and called to live in harmony with others and with creation. May this remembrance strengthen our resolve to cultivate just peace, now and for generations to come.

Pax Christi International