In a historic moment marked by geopolitical tensions and an seemingly endless arms race, the voices of bishops from cities that symbolize the atomic tragedy rise once again to demand concrete commitment to disarmament. The prelates of Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Santa Fe, and Seattle have joined forces in a joint appeal to the international community, on the occasion of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) taking place at the United Nations.
The document, described as 'worn out' and at risk of failure, represents for the bishops a fragile but indispensable bulwark for global security. Their words are not just a political call but a pastoral cry born from the living memory of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the awareness that nuclear deterrence is a balance based on the irrationality of relations between nations, as Pope Leo XIV reminded in his recent message.
The Non-Proliferation Treaty: A Legacy to Defend
The NPT, signed in 1968 and in force since 1970, is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. With 191 states parties, it is one of the most widely ratified treaties in history. However, the bishops denounce that its original spirit has been progressively eroded by a lack of political will and growing distrust among nations.
The prelates' words are an invitation not to let this instrument collapse, because its failure would open the door to a new and dangerous era of proliferation. They emphasize that nuclear disarmament is not only a political goal but a moral issue that touches the dignity of the human person and the future of creation.
The Role of Historical Memory
The bishops of Nagasaki and Hiroshima carry the weight of a memory that cannot be forgotten. Their dioceses were the scene of one of humanity's greatest tragedies, and every year on August 6 and 9, the bells of their churches toll to remember the victims and renew the commitment to peace.
This memory is not just a recollection of the past but a warning for the present. The bishops remind us that today there are still over 12,000 nuclear warheads in the world, many of them ready to be launched within minutes. Nuclear deterrence, based on the threat of mutually assured destruction, is an unstable balance that can be broken by human error or a reckless decision.
The Words of Pope Leo XIV: A Call to Rationality
In the appeal, the bishops quote the words of Pope Leo XIV, who has described nuclear deterrence as a system based on the irrationality of relations between nations. The Pontiff emphasized that the logic of fear and threat cannot be the foundation for building a future of peace.
The Pope's words echo the teaching of the Catholic Church, which for decades has opposed the arms race and called for gradual but effective disarmament. The Second Vatican Council, in the pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes, already condemned total war and invited a rethinking of international relations based on justice and solidarity.
An Appeal That Unites Different Christian Traditions
EncuentraIglesias.com is an ecumenical platform, and this appeal by the bishops is an example of how different Christian traditions can unite on issues of global importance. The bishops of Santa Fe and Seattle represent the Catholic Church in the United States, while those of Nagasaki and Hiroshima express the Japanese Church, which has a long tradition of commitment to peace.
Together, they call on the international community not to lose sight of the goal of total disarmament, and for nuclear-armed countries to lead by example by reducing their arsenals. Their message is clear: peace is not built with bombs, but with dialogue, trust, and mutual respect.
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