Statement of Bishop Douglas J. Lucia on the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bombs

Statement of Bishop Douglas Lucia on the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bombs 

“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”  I have sung these words since I was a child, and they continue to sing out in my heart today. I find it so humbling to offer Christ’s greeting to the world when I call out at the beginning of Mass, “Peace be with you.”  This is my humble prayer today as we call to mind the use of atomic weapons 80 years ago this week. What we have learned from this moment in history, should be enough for us to hold fast to the words of the Successors of St. Peter echoing over the last 80 years, “No more war, war never again!” Yet, sadly, it continues in too many parts of the world fueled by animosity, suspicion, greed, pride, and unfortunately the list goes on. But it doesn’t have to!  Beginning with you and me, peace can have a chance again if we are willing to embrace the words of another prophet of peace who knew first-hand as well the scourge of war, St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

In his own reflection on this day, Pope Leo XIV has written: “We must forge a global ethic rooted in justice, fraternity and the common good…a peace that is unarmed and disarming.” Yes, sisters and brothers, let us walk with each other in peace and harmony – applying balm to our wounded and scarred world – fostering the peace that was meant to be.