Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle and Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Pilgrimage of Peace delegation from their respective archdioceses, participated in an interfaith prayer ceremony and a peace memorial ceremony to commemorate the lives lost.

They also advocated for a world free from the spectre of nuclear weapons.

The interfaith ceremony, led by the Hiroshima Prefecture Federation of Religions, was held at the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound.

Archbishop Etienne expressed the weight of the moment - "It was hard to fathom that with just one bomb, this entire city along with some 140,000 people died as a result, far more than the tens of thousands gathered this morning to remember them," he wrote on his blog.

The August 6th, 1945 bombing led to the deaths of thousands and countless others suffered from radiation-related illnesses. The survivors, known as "hibakusha," continue to bear physical and psychological scars from the tragedy.

Moving interfaith service

During the moving interfaith service, Shinto priests, religious leaders and dignitaries paid their respects, and the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi was read as a poignant reminder of the universal yearning for peace.

The Pilgrimage of Peace initiative is actively engaging with Japanese bishops to foster relationships and collaborate towards nuclear disarmament. It also extends sincere apologies for the hardships Japan endured due to the bombing.

Following the interfaith service, the Seattle and Santa Fe delegation proceeded to Hiroshima Peace Park where the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony was held.

This event, attended by over 5,000 people representing more than 110 nations, featured speeches from Hiroshima's mayor, governor, Japan's prime minister and a representative from the United Nations.

As the Peace Bell resonated at 8:15 am, marking the exact moment the bomb struck Hiroshima, a profound silence filled the air.

Archbishop Etienne emphasised the significance of the younger generation's role in peace efforts. Two young children read the Children's Commitment to Peace, inspiring a reminder that everyone can contribute to a better world through simple yet meaningful actions.

The delegation visited Gion Catholic Church, where they shared a homemade lunch with parishioners and watched a documentary about Jesuit priests who were present in Hiroshima during the bombing.

Archbishop Etienne reiterated a resounding call for nuclear disarmament, stating that thousands of nuclear weapons pose a global threat. He urged a shift towards building relationships of care, healing broken bonds and working tirelessly for a future marked by genuine and lasting peace.

Sources

National Catholic Reporter

CathNews New Zealand

The Santa Fe archdiocese says the restriction is part of its response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a 31 July memo, Archdiocesan vicar general Fr. Glennon Jones says the archdiocesan chancery had "received reports of some homilies going on for well over the 5-minute limit set by the Archbishop."

"This not only increases exposure time [of the coronavirus] to others, but increases the discomfiture of many congregants, to the point of some not attending Mass because of it."

Jones went on to say that priests who continue to exceed the five-minute homily limit, Archbishop John Wester would consider various courses of action including the "possibility of suspending the faculty to preach."

The warning was part of a series of "periodic communications" from the chancery regarding pastoral and sacramental practice in the archdiocese during the pandemic.

The five-minute homily referenced in the July 31 memo appears to have been preceded by a relaxation of the archdiocese's posted guidelines, which state that homilies be "very brief," and "three minutes max."

Wester's various restrictions and directives aim to ensure Mass is concluded within "30-40 minutes."

The July 31 memo also tells priests that in light of the pandemic, communicants can receive the Eucharist "inside the Church if they leave directly thereafter."

The General Instruction for the Roman Missal does not prescribe a particular length of time for the homily.

It says the homily "is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life."

"It should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners."

Pope Francis has made no formal norms regarding the length of time for homilies.

However, in his 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, he stresses the homily's importance, saying:

"The homily has special importance due to its eucharistic context: it surpasses all forms of catechesis as the supreme moment in the dialogue between God and his people which lead up to sacramental communion."

"The homily takes up once more the dialogue which the Lord has already established with his people."

Francis says a priest must discern in prayer and from his knowledge of his people, how best to preach to them.

"The preacher must know the heart of his community, in order to realize where its desire for God is alive and ardent, as well as where that dialogue, once loving, has been thwarted and is now barren."

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Image: DiocesanPriest.com