The Universal church commemorates the Feast of the Transfiguration on 6 August. It is also the date when the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima in 1945, then a second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki three days later.
As a ‘Japan-phile’ with a bachelor degree in the area, walking past the FEPOW plaque in church every day reminds me of the continuing uneasy relationship between countries in the Far-East, a wound that never managed to heal for good in the hearts of many East Asians. My late grandfather was wounded in combat against the Japanese during WWII, and (understandably) had a very anti-Japanese sentiment for the remainder of his life.
Hiroshima was a logical location for the first bomb to be dropped, as it was a naval and industrial base for Japan. However, many scholars argued that the second bomb was not intended to be dropped on Nagasaki, there were other possible locations that could cause further military gains. Yet the unfortunate victimhood of Nagasaki gave an important revelation to us all.
The ‘Genbaku dome’ in Hiroshima still gives audiences the impression that the Japanese people were the only victims of war, while Nagasaki offers a progressive approach towards peace and reconciliation due to its Christian influence.
Although the city of Nagasaki does not have a Christian majority today, it remains the largest Christian population in Japan. It was the only port that opened to the world during the Tokugawa shogunate and gateway to the world in the previous centuries. Nagasaki is also the city where 26 martyrs of Japan are enshrined, their legacy remains as Mass are well attended and many beautiful churches were built.
We continue to pray for peace, the 26 Martyrs of Japan, pray for us!
Revd Harry Ching
