The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan has issued an appeal to the global community to combat what he described as the “globalization of indifference.”
In a message to conclude the observance of ‘Ten Days of Prayer for Peace,’ Archbishop Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, emphasized the moral crisis emerging from widespread indifference to human suffering exacerbated by modern technologies like artificial intelligence, which he claims diminish human empathy towards the tragedy of war.
“Amid rampant violence against human life around the world, the globalization of indifference is intensifying, and everyone is treated like a disconnected ‘something’ on a screen,” the prelate said.
Archbishop Kikuchi echoed Pope Francis’ stance that the advent of artificial intelligence has increased a sense of alienation from people and situations.
The prelate, however, clarified that it is human beings who are creating violence and “it is our indifference that is encouraging it.”
Archbishop Kikuchi reflected on the historical lessons of World War II and the continued violence plaguing various regions today, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Myanmar.
He reminded the world of the pledge made after World War II, “We shall not repeat the evil,” urging a renewal of this commitment in current global affairs.
“Faced with the reality of nuclear weapons, we, the human race, vowed not to repeat our mistake. However, though 79 years have passed since then, is the reality of the world really what we pledged to make it?” he said.
Archbishop Kikuchi also highlighted the various global challenges that disturb what Pope St. John XXIII called the “divinely established order” necessary for peace.
He said people are often forced to leave their homelands due to deteriorating economic conditions or political persecution.
Additionally, many face poverty and discrimination stemming from biases against their race, faith, or lifestyle.
He also highlighted the issue of trafficking, which strips individuals of their dignity and freedom, as an example of how society often fails to uphold human dignity and obstructs the fulfillment of divine order.
Looking forward to Holy Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” Kikuchi resonated with Pope Francis’s vision of the Church as a beacon of hope, fostering a community that not only respects but actively promotes human dignity and development.
He reiterated the call for a synodal journey toward peace, emphasizing solidarity and collective action to address global crises.
“We should be able to humbly learn from our past mistakes and try not to repeat them. It is only we ourselves who can stop the violence against life that we have witnessed time and time again,” the prelate said.
