atomic bombing survivor city Nagasaki to ring restored bell marking 80 years since disaster
In a poignant display of remembrance and hope, the twin cathedral bells in Nagasaki, Japan, rang in unison on August 6, 2025. This marked 80 years since the atomic bombing of the city, a tragic event that left an indelible mark on the world.
The reconstructed Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945, became the focus of these commemorations. The bell ringing served as a sonic reminder of the passage from devastation to a global symbol of peace, uniting people across continents and faiths in memory of those lost and in commitment to preventing nuclear war.
The restoration of the cathedral's bells was made possible by the generous contributions of American Catholics. An American university professor, James Nolan, spearheaded the project, managing to raise $125,000 from churchgoers across the United States. With these funds, a new bell was constructed and restored to the tower.
The cathedral's chief priest, Kenichi Yamamura, believes the bell's restoration "shows the greatness of humanity". The reactions to the unveiling of the new bell were described as "magnificent", with some people in tears.
The event was inspired by the "willingness to forgive and rebuild" exhibited by Nagasaki's Christians. American Catholics showed "compassion and sadness" upon hearing about the perseverance of Nagasaki's Christians after the atomic bomb. About 74,000 people were killed in Nagasaki as a result of the bombing.
The novel "Silence" by Shusaku Endo and the 2016 film adaptation of the same name tell the story of Nagasaki's Christians, providing a powerful testament to the resilience of the faith in the face of adversity. Only one of the cathedral's two bells was recovered from the rubble.
On August 9, 1945, at 11:02 am, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Days later, on August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered, marking the end of World War II.
The cathedral's bells will chime at the exact moment the bomb was dropped on August 9, 1945. This solemn call for nuclear disarmament and hope for a peaceful future resonates deeply, as the world continues to grapple with conflict and the threat of nuclear weapons. For Kenichi Yamamura, the chimes are a message to the world, shaken by multiple conflicts and caught in a frantic new arms race.
The bell ringing in Nagasaki serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive impact of nuclear weapons and the importance of moral restraint in warfare. It stands as a beacon of hope, symbolizing the transformation from devastation to a global symbol of peace, and the collective plea for a world free from the threat of nuclear war.
- The bell ringing in Nagasaki's Urakami Cathedral, 80 years since the atomic bombing, echoes across the world as a testament to the resilience of the city, a symbol of hope encompassing history, politics, and general news about war-and-conflicts.
- The chimes of the restored bell on August 9, the anniversary of the atomic bombing, serve as a somber call to action in the ongoing discourse about nuclear disarmament, politically, historically, and in the realm of war-and-conflicts and general news.
