Wednesday, August 6, 2025

WCC News: Calls for peace ring on 80th anniversary of atomic bombings

On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, churches and communities across the world deepened their calls for peace and for a nuclear weapons-free world.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome or Genbaku Domu, in Hiroshima, Japan, is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC
06 August 2025

An estimated 150,000 to 250,000 people died in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many of the deaths were instantaneous, while others died years later due to the radiation.

Even before the bombings, Americans suffered the consequences of the fallout from the first nuclear test (code named “Trinity”) on 16 July 1945, in New Mexico. Because the test was clouded in secrecy, no warnings were made to the local community. Radiation levels in some of the counties downwind from the test reached 10,000 times current acceptable limits. Nuclear fallout spread much farther, across thousands of miles.

Catholic bishops joined in a pilgrimage of peace to Japan coordinated by the Partnership for a World Without Nuclear Weapons.

Throughout a five-day visit, the clergy, along with a delegation of pilgrims, celebrated Mass, participated in dialogue on Catholic ethics and nuclear weapons, and visit historical sites and museums. The delegation included staff and students from several U.S. universities.

The pilgrimage began by bringing together Catholic bishops from Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. alongside “hibakusha,” or atomic bomb survivors, for a panel discussion at the World Peace Memorial Cathedral in Hiroshima on 5 August. On 10 August, the pilgrimage will conclude with an ecumenical dialogue and academic symposium at Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki.

The pilgrimage — a joint effort between Japanese and U.S. bishops as well as various Catholic universities — centers on the theme of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year: “Pilgrims of Hope.”

“We are pilgrims of peace and hope, crossing continents and histories to remember the past and transform the future,” Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico (US). “This journey to Hiroshima and Nagasaki is not only a remembrance but a recommitment to the Gospel call for nonviolence and the abolition of nuclear weapons.”

Affront to humanity

An ecumenical event, organized by Justice and Peace Scotland, was held outside the south gate of HM Naval Base Clyde, UK, on 2 August against the continued presence of warheads described as an "affront to humanity.”

Known as Faslane and located on the Gare Loch near Helensburgh, the facility is home to the Royal Navy's four Vanguard-class submarines – HMS Vanguard, Vengeance, Victorious, and Vigilant – which each carry Trident 2 D5 nuclear missiles.

Described as Britain's nuclear deterrent and ultimate defence, they can be fired at targets up to 4,000 miles away.

Rt. Rev. Rosie Frew, moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly, attended the vigil and said the Church of Scotland stands in solidarity with all those who work at Faslane in the service of the United Kingdom, while praying for peace in a world where there is no threat of nuclear weapons ever being used.

The Church of Scotland General Assembly in May 2025 reaffirmed the consistent position of the Church of Scotland in condemning the existence and threat of nuclear weapons. “Our world is a very broken place at the moment, so much needless death and destruction,” said Frew. “My hope and prayer is to live in a world without war or the threat of war, a world without the threat of the deployment of nuclear weapons.”

Remember the devastation—and take action

The Church of the Brethren is encouraging congregations and individuals to take action to remember the devastation of the nuclear bombings and advocate for eliminating the threat of nuclear weapons and the reallocation of resources.

Church of the Brethren members also support the continuing work of Brethren Volunteer Service volunteers at the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima. 

Vigil for Peace

From 6-9 August, a 75-hour Vigil for Peace will unite people around the world in prayer and remembrance of all victims of current conflicts. Two symbolic locations — the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary in New York and the Chapel of Our Lady of Nagasaki (Hibaku no Maria) in the Urakami Basilica will be open to all for prayer and hospitality.

In both chapels, the vigil will take place continuously from 8 am on 6 August until 8 am on 9 August, local time, creating a spiritual bridge of communion and solidarity. Friends, families, groups, and communities are invited to join this global moment of intercession for peace. The vigil will also be available via livestream. 

The vigil is organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio and the Archdiocese of Nagasaki, in collaboration with the Focolare, parishioners, volunteers, and other organizations. 

Online memorial

To mark 80 years since the US nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons has launched an online memorial honouring the estimated 38,000 children killed. It features more than 400 profiles with details of the children’s lives, their agonising deaths, and the grief of surviving family members. The children range in age from infants to teenagers.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons is also encouraging people to mark this occasion by folding a paper crane and personalizing it with the name of a survivor whose story moved you then let that memory guide your next step.

A Joint Interfaith Statement Marking 80 Years Since the First Use of Nuclear Weapons has been released, calling for peace, nuclear abolition, and justice in all their forms. 

“While the challenges are immense, this is a time to affirm that another way is possible: one rooted in solidarity, human dignity, and hope,” the statement reads. “The 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings offers a critical moment to reimagine our priorities.”

WCC signs Joint Interfaith Statement Marking 80 Years Since the First Use of Nuclear Weapons (WCC news release, 5 August 2025)

"Faith groups underscore moral imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons", WCC news release (6 March 2025)

Learn more about the WCC work on arms control and disarmament

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The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
Chemin du Pommier 42
Kyoto Building
Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218
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WCC NEWS: WCC signs Joint Interfaith Statement Marking 80 Years Since the First Use of Nuclear Weapons

The World Council of Churches and dozens of other organizations signed a Joint Interfaith Statement Marking 80 Years Since the First Use of Nuclear Weapons.

Bringing flowers and photos of their loved ones who have died from radiation poisoning, people pray on August 6, 2015, at a memorial in Hiroshima, Japan, that commemorates the victims of the atomic bombing of the city by the United States in 1945, Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth Pictures
6 August 2025

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were deliberate attacks, intended to result in mass deaths and total destruction, while the 2000+ nuclear weapons tests have been done with complete disregard to the consequences, in order to kill elsewhere and to demonstrate strength to enemies,” the statement reads. The ongoing destruction and violence of the development of nuclear technologies and nuclear accidents demonstrate how dangerous we have made our world towards these ends.”

The statement calls for peace, nuclear abolition, and justice. While the challenges are immense, this is a time to affirm that another way is possible: one rooted in solidarity, human dignity, and hope,” the statement reads. The 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings offers a critical moment to reimagine our priorities.”

The statement honours the legacy of all who bear the wounds of nuclearism. We lament the equating of nuclear weapons with technological, strategic, or political advancement, or with the assurance of safety,” the statement reads. We reject the equating of the nuclear power industry as a symbol of decolonization or environmentalism.”

Peter Prove, WCC Director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs emphasized the timeliness of the issue. “The risk of the nuclear war, whether by design or accident, is once again a major and growing existential threat, among the many crises confronting the world today”. He said that the WCC has been an active participant in the civil society efforts that led to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, currently signed by 94 States. “Surely no church or Christian community, nor any right-thinking person, can tolerate the development, possession or use of the most catastrophically, indiscriminately and inter-generationally destructive weapons ever devised by human beings”, Prove emphasized.“The doctrine of nuclear deterrence is necessarily founded on the willingness to actually use such weapons, which must be rejected from a Christian ethical point of view” he concluded.  

The interfaith message commits to efforts that are local, regional, national, global, and metaphysical in scope. The work for nuclear abolition vitalizes and prioritizes ethical ways of being that are based in truth, right relationship, and very real analyses of survival,” the text reads. We must rise to the occasion and act together, as called by our faith traditions, moral compasses, and spiritual commitments.”

 

Read the full statement

"Faith groups underscore moral imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons", WCC news release (6 March 2025)

Learn more about the WCC work on arms control and disarmament

WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs

 

 

 

See more
The World Council of Churches on Facebook
The World Council of Churches on Twitter
The World Council of Churches on Instagram
The World Council of Churches on YouTube
World Council of Churches on SoundCloud
The World Council of Churches' website
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
Chemin du Pommier 42
Kyoto Building
Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218
Switzerland

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GreenFaith - Our Time to Rise: Sun Day Sermon Resource Now Available!

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We’re thrilled to announce that Our Time to Rise: Religious Resources for Sun Day is now available to the public!

In a time of ecological crisis and democratic decline, faith communities across the U.S. are preparing to raise a moral cry for climate justice. If your Faiths 4 Climate Justice: Sun Day plan consists of preaching from the pulpit, leading a climate teach-in, or simply seeking spiritual grounding—this resource is for you.

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🔥 This is our time to rise.
Let’s speak out. Let’s act boldly. Let’s move together for climate justice.

With faith and resolve,

Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise

GreenFaith USA Organizing Coordinator

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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Meet MBF’s New CEO – A Bold New Chapter Begins

We're excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Burton W. Lee as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Benevolence Foundation, beginning October 6, 2025.

A Harvard-trained physician, global health leader, and former medical missionary, Dr. Lee brings decades of experience and a heart rooted in Christ-centered service. From Kenya to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), his life’s work embodies MBF’s mission to provide sustainable, faith-based healthcare to underserved communities.

Dr. Lee’s leadership marks a new chapter built on excellence, compassion, and a bold vision for the future. With your continued support, we will expand our global partnerships, empower local leaders, and bring hope and healing to more communities than ever before.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re advancing MBF’s mission and spreading the love of Christ to the ends of the earth.

– The MBF Team

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WCC News: Calls for peace ring on 80th anniversary of atomic bombings

On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, churches and communities across the world deepened their calls for...