Monday August 6th, 2012 was the 67th anniversary of the dropping of the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima City, Japan. The bomb killed tens of
thousands of people, some immediately from the blast and subsequent flames, and some over many years through radiation sickness.
I visited Hiroshima City this week. At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial there is the Peace Flame that will not be extinguished until the last
nuclear bomb on earth has been destroyed, many memorial monuments, a museum, and the remains of a building that was near the hypocenter of
the bomb. All that is left of that building is a skeleton composed of twisted metal, scorched concrete, and lots of rubble. It serves as a
clear example of the horrible destruction caused by atomic weapons and the people of Hiroshima should be commended for leaving this
undoubtedly painful reminder standing.
While this building, called the Atomic Bomb Dome, serves as a sign of war and destruction, another building has risen in Hiroshima that
serves as a sign of hope and peace. A Jesuit priest, Fr. Hugo Lassalle, was critically wounded in the bombing but surived and
dedicated himself to rebuilding his church, "a Cathedral dedicated to the memory of the Atomic Bomb victims, a symbol of love and peace for
all nations."
Fr. Lassalle obtained permission from Pope Pius XII and in 1954, the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace was completed with the help of
generous donations from all over the world! This cathedral of Hiroshima diocese (see photo above) is visited by many people who go there to pray for
the departed and for peace in the world.
In 1981, Blessed Pope John Paul II visited Hiroshima City and made his famous Appeal for Peace. It is very inspiring and sums up the need for
true justice in today's world. I encourage you to read it in it's entirety http://atomicbombmuseum.org/6_5.shtml. A particularly strong
portion of the appeal is quoted on the statue of John Paul II in front of the cathedral:
War is the work of man.
War is destruction of human life.
War is death.
To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future.
To remember Hiroshima is to abhor nuclear war.
To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to peace.
The world is still full of war and enough nuclear weapons to completely wipe out all life. We need to pray for true world peace and
answer the appeal of Blessed Pope John Paul II. There is great hope in the new generation. The youth of this world must continue to takes
steps to ending war and threat of nuclear attacks, and one day, we can finally extinguish the Peace Flame, indicating a new era of peace.
Blessed Pope John Paul II - Pray for us.
For more on Brandon and his adventures in Japan, visit his travel blog at www.gonnajetnow.blogspot.com
