The morning of August 6, 1945, while still evening in New York City, the atomic bomb was dropped for the first time on Hiroshima. Japanese military authorities decided not to accept the terms of surrender and instead imposed martial law to avoid any possibility of peace talks. On August 9, 1945, the second atomic bomb was launched against Nagasaki immediately after the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and entered Manchuria. On September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only two cases of an intentional destructive use of atomic bombs.
The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) articulates humanity’s commitment to nuclear disarmament through a multilateral treaty. It became international law in 1970. It has been ratified by 190 governments. The Catholic Church has been consistently supportive. In August 2022, the United Nations Headquarters in New York will host the Review Conference, to assess the implementation of the treaty, usually held every 5 years.
In consideration of the many current conflicts in the world and especially of the rising tensions after the invasion of Ukraine and in memory of these bombings, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary will be open to all, including families and children, for prayer and hospitality between the evening of Friday, August 5 and the evening of Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
The vigil is organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio with the help of parishioners, volunteers, and collaborating organizations. For more information, please contact Susan Cangiano at 917 817 3919 or susancangiano@gmail.com or Thomas Murphy at 646 209 2755 or thomasmurphnyc@gmail.com.
As the Chapel will be open to all, if you would like to reserve a time slot to maintain the space, please use the form linked here.
