77th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki, Japan
Mass and Interfaith Discussion
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
5:15 p.m. MT Mass at the Cathedral Basilica
of St. Francis of Assisi
Followed by Panel Discussion with Interfaith Leaders at 6:15 p.m.
In Japan this is 8:15 am and 9:15 am Wednesday, August 10, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE – Wednesday, August 3, 2022 – IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Join Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, on August 9, 2022, for 5:15 p.m. Mountain Time Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Archbishop Wester’s homily will be centered on his pastoral letter, “Living in the Light of Christ’s Peace: A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament,” released on January 11, 2022. Following his homily, Archbishop Wester will offer a healing prayer for those harmed by the production and use of nuclear weapons. This includes victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in Japan; Trinity Test Downwinders; uranium and nuclear weapons workers in New Mexico and beyond; and any future victims in the accelerating new nuclear arms race.
Mass will be followed by a panel discussion with prominent interfaith leaders on the need for nuclear disarmament and a Q&A session at 6:15 p.m. Confirmed interfaith leaders include Archbishop John C. Wester; Rev. Talitha Arnold, Senior Minister of the United Church of Santa Fe; Mrs. Samia Assed of the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque; The Rev. Holly Beaumont of Interfaith Worker Justice; Roshi Joan Halifax of the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe; and Former Governor of Cochiti Pueblo, Regis Pecos.
In the pastoral letter, Archbishop Wester reflects upon his trip to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Catholic social teaching on nuclear weapons, the history of the development and production of nuclear weapons in New Mexico, and Jesus’ example of nonviolence. He encourages all to read the pastoral letter and use the reflection questions and suggestions for action. The complete pastoral letter can be accessed here, and the summary here. Panel bios can be found here.
Livestream the event on August 9, 2022:
5:15 p.m. Mass and healing ceremony youtu.be/M4SnixeGwyE
6:15 p.m. Interfaith dialogue youtu.be/U88tJwq7yNsm
Masks and social distancing are encouraged. For more information, contact the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Office of Social Justice and Respect Life 505.831.8205. –END
