Catholic bishops in Japan have expressed alarm over the resurgence of war and militarism across the globe, warning against the normalization of violence under the guise of “humanitarian intervention” and “self-defense.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan made the statement on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, calling on Catholics and all people of goodwill—especially the youth—to carry forward a legacy of peace rooted in justice, memory, and spiritual renewal.
Released on June 17 and titled “A Journey of Peace: Bearing Hope,” the message reflects on the lessons of war and the Church’s role in healing and reconciliation, while raising concern over current global and national threats to peace.
From Ukraine to Gaza, Myanmar to Africa, the bishops noted how armed conflict continues to claim lives, displace communities, and erode the moral foundations of societies. “Even appeals to ‘humanitarian intervention’ and ‘self-defense’ have become justifications for deadly violence,” the bishops said.
Closer to home, they lamented the erosion of Japan’s postwar pacifism, citing increased military spending, the construction of new missile bases in Okinawa, and moves to reinterpret Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
They echoed the concerns of elderly Okinawans who “see disturbing parallels to the prelude of past wars,” and asked, pointedly, “Is Japan really on the path to peace?”
In a rare act of institutional self-examination, the bishops acknowledged the Church’s failure to stand as a prophetic voice during wartime Japan. “We must face these facts honestly, repent, and move forward with the people who will lead the next generation toward peace,” they wrote.
They recalled how the Church, in its effort to appear “patriotic,” invoked just war theory to justify military aggression. The bishops said this chapter in history must be remembered with humility and used as a foundation for genuine renewal.
The message emphasized the urgency of memory, especially as the number of living witnesses to World War II continues to dwindle. “Now, 80 years later, the number of people who experienced the war is very small,” they said.
“To all who want peace, especially young people,” the bishops wrote, urging them to “remember, journey together, and protect” the legacy of peace.
The message also underscored the Church’s consistent stance against nuclear weapons. Citing Pope Francis’ 2019 appeal in Hiroshima—“the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral”—the bishops renewed their call for Japan to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
They welcomed the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers’ Organizations (Hidankyo), saying it affirmed the suffering and advocacy of atomic bomb survivors.
“Those of us who live in this country that has suffered atomic bombings know… that nuclear weapons cause harm not only at the time of explosion but for long afterwards,” the bishops stressed.
Drawing from Scripture and Catholic social teaching, the bishops reminded the faithful that true peace—shalom—is more than the absence of conflict. It is “a state of wholeness, harmony, and right relationship with God, with others, and with creation.”
“Peace does not come from nuclear weapons or the balance of forces,” they said, “but from conversion of heart and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation.”
As the Church prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year, declared by Pope Francis as a time for “Pilgrims of Hope,” the bishops invited the faithful to live its values: a return to God, healing of injustice, liberation of the oppressed, and the cancellation of debts.
“Let us continue together to weave peace with hope in our hearts,” the bishops said.
Their message, though rooted in the memory of Japan’s wartime past, speaks with urgency to today’s world—a world still shaped by conflict, division, and fear.
It calls on all Catholics to reflect deeply: How are we remembering history? Are we praying for peace and actively building it in our societies? Are we teaching the next generation that peace is the fruit of justice—not merely the absence of war?
