Pax Christi remembers Hiroshima and Nagasaki

There was great interest in Pax Christi's peace vigil l outside Westminster Cathedral today (Wednesday). Staff and volunteers gave out leaflets and resources to those passing into the Cathedral, many from other countries. The message was clearly presented: nuclear weapons are illegal and immoral and Britain should get rid of Trident, its nuclear weapons programme.

Introducing times of prayer, Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi read a statement from the Catholic Bishops' of Japan:

"This year is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I. Let us think about the reasons for the tragedies of the two World Wars in the previous century, including World War II that ended on August 15, 1945. People often wage war in the name of justice for the cause of the defence of their own country. Wars are repeated while each disputing country insists that it is a just war for self-defence. As a result, numerous precious lives are lost

When Pope John Paul II visited Hiroshima in 1981, he said: 'War is the work of man. War is destruction of human life. War is death. Nowhere do these truths impose themselves upon us more forcefully than in this city of Hiroshima, at this Peace Memorial' These words of the Pope still echo strongly in our hearts even 33 years later. There is nothing more disastrous and foolish than war."

At the same time, Pax Christi International issued a new statement calling for the total abolition of nuclear weapons.
information on other Hiroshima and Nagasaki peace events in Leeds, Eastbourne and Essex http://paxchristi.org.uk/news-and-events/events-calendar/

Support the work of Pax Christi here: http://paxchristi.org.uk/about-us/support-us/donation/

*Check ICN Listings for further peace events around the country in this week which marks the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These include:

Friday 8 August 8.45am onwards
London: Support vigil for peace campaigner Fr Martin Newell
At Westminster Magistrates' Court, 181 Marylebone Road,London NW1 5BR
Fr Martin is accused of commiting 'criminal damage' by marking the Ministry of Defence building with ash in protest at the British government's retention and renewal of its own atomic weapons of mass death and destruction.

Friday 8 August 11am - 3pm
Leeds: No to Trident stall, Leeds @ Holy Trinity Church (outside)
There will be an interactive Trident budgeting stall which gives people the chance to choose how they would spend the money the government plans to spend on Trident.

Saturday 9 August 10am - 1.30pm
London: Nagasaki Vigil and stall at Westminster Cathedral Piazza
Annual stall and vigil for anniversary of Nagasaki bombings in 1945. Join us at any time and come and help if you have time.

Saturday 9 August 12 noon
London: National Demonstration for Gaza
Assemble 12 noon, BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place. March to a rally in Hyde Park, via the US Embassy.

Saturday 9 August 6-7pm
London: Annual memorial service for Franz Jaegerstaetter in Sacred Heart Chapel
Ecumenical service to commemorate the life and witness of Franz Jaegerstaetter, followed by procession to Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park and lantern ceremony on River Thames in memory of those who died.