Dear brothers and sisters in the ecumenical community:

Sixty-one years ago, on August 6, 1945, humankind experienced the first “weapon of mass destruction” as the United States Air Force dropped over the city of Hiroshima, Japan the first atomic bomb. Three days later, Nagasaki suffered the same fate as the second atomic bomb was dropped in the unsuspecting city.

The toll on human life brought about the twin bombings is simply beyond comprehension, with an estimated 80,000 casualties in Hiroshima and some 70,000 in Nagasaki. By the end of 1945, it was estimated that the death toll in both cities had reached 214,000 because of the bombings and their after effects.

Because of the magnitude brought about by the atomic bombings, the Empire of Japan surrendered unconditionally to the United States, thus ending the Second World War in the Pacific theater.

The conclusion of the long and cruel armed conflict is a welcome development to the war-weary peoples of Asia, but not at the expense of innocent Japanese noncombatants who also opposed the aggression and imperial policies of their government.

To date, debates continue to rage on the ethical and moral issues surrounding of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Such debates may never reach a conclusive end, but for the Christian Conference of Asia, one thing is crystal clear—CCA is unwavering in its stand in denouncing war and other forms and instruments of oppression, armed or otherwise, against humankind which is created in image of God.

Such tragic events should never happen again under any circumstance. Christians and peace-loving peoples of Asia should never allow these tragic events to happen again.

As the expression of Christian unity and ecumenism in Asia, the CCA is committed to its mission of preaching the gospel of peace to bring about unity, harmony and understanding among peoples of diverse creeds, cultures, nationalities and political beliefs in this continent.

The current socio-political today is not far from what it was more than six decades ago. Powerful and prosperous nations still take advantage of its weaker neighbors. Racial prejudice still prevails, giving rise to conflicts in many parts of Asia. There is a race for military supremacy in East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, while the basic necessities and social services to the populace are relegated to the background.

The Asian continent is hurting and its peoples are suffering because of these existing and imminent conflicts, as well as other forms of oppression, injustice and neglect.

Given this milieu, the Body of Christ in Asia—the Christian and ecumenical community—is faced with the enormous task of peace-building in the midst of a troubled world. And as always, our peace-building ministry should not be content on putting an end to armed conflicts, oppression and injustice, but eradicating their root causes—hatred, greed, prejudice, intolerance, and other attributes contrary to the will of God.

We can achieve this by teaching and preaching the gospel of peace and love in our spheres of influence just like what the Lord Jesus Christ did. As churches, ecumenical councils, and Christian organizations, we should strengthen our peace-building ministry to make them comprehensive, all-encompassing and sustainable.

Let the bitter memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and of the Second World War as a whole, always remind us of our unending quest for shalom, an enduring peace based justice.

With the grace of God guiding our concerted action, our vision of “turning spears into plowshares and swords into pruning hooks” will be a reality for us to claim.

Thank you and may the Lord of peace continues to bless us all.

Your brother in Christ,

PRAWATE KHID-ARN
General Secretary