The First Nagasaki Catholic Peace Forum: Renewing Calls for a Nuclear-Free World
Amidst the backdrop of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two cities forever scarred by atomic bombings, Catholic organizations gathered at the first Nagasaki Catholic Peace Forum to advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Hosted by Pax Christi Korea, in partnership with Pax Christi International and USA, and the International Movement of Catholic Students, the forum took place on August 10 in Japan. The event was attended by about 40 participants from Korea, Japan, and the United States, coinciding with the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the first anniversary of the Partnership for a World Without Nuclear Weapons.
Distinguished guests, including Archbishop Peter Michiaki Nakamura of Nagasaki, Bishop Alexis Mitsuru Shirahama of Hiroshima, and US Archbishops Paul D. Etienne of Seattle and John C. Wester of Santa Fe, came together to emphasize the importance of peacebuilding efforts and the remembrance of the tragic events of the atomic bombings.
During the forum, Anselmo Lee, Co-President of Pax Christi Korea, set the stage by providing a historical context and outlining a roadmap from the Jubilee Year to World Youth Day 2027. Archbishop Nakamura underscored the need for collaborative peace initiatives, highlighting the significance of joint efforts in preventing nuclear proliferation.
Sessions at the forum covered a range of topics, including recent diplomatic developments, peace movements in South Korea, and strategies for advancing the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Attendees also explored how upcoming events, such as World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, could serve as platforms for promoting peace and nuclear disarmament.
The Nagasaki Appeal for Peace, introduced at the forum, called for enhanced collaboration between Catholic peace organizations and youth groups, as well as the ratification of the nuclear treaty. This appeal will be officially adopted at the end of August and presented to Pope Francis on September 20, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Pax Romana.
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