
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki Killed Two-Thirds of the City’s Catholics 78 Years Ago
Since the 16th century, Nagasaki has been an important center of Catholicism in Japan, initially evangelized by Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries.
Since the 16th century, Nagasaki has been an important center of Catholicism in Japan, initially evangelized by Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries.
‘To remember the past,’ said Pope St. John Paul II in Hiroshima, ‘is to commit oneself to the future.’
“After his fall, man was not abandoned by God. On the contrary, God calls him and in a mysterious way heralds … the first announcement of the Messiah and Redeemer, of a battle between the serpent and the Woman, and of the final victory of a descendant of hers.” (CCC 410)
COMMENTARY: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen spoke forthrightly about the ethical deformation that came from ignoring moral absolutes and justifying the intrinsically evil decision to use atomic weapons.
The world's only wartime uses of nuclear weapons took place in 1945's Aug. 6 U.S. attack on Hiroshima and Aug. 9 U.S. attack on Nagasaki.
The Hiroshima attack killed around 80,000 people instantly, ultimately causing about 130,000 deaths while the attack on Nagasaki instantly killed about 40,000, destroying a third of the city.
COMMENTARY: The issue is not whether using any means to win a war is politically effective. What is at stake is the moral effect of removing any moral limit to our actions and allowing the ends to justify any means.
Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Renew or manage your subscription here.
SubscribeStart your Register subscription today.
Subscribe NowSign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription.
Order NowGive a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register.
Order NowOrder Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization or school.
Order NowSign-up for E-NewsletterGet Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox.
Sign Up