Bending the Arc references a quote by Rev. Dr. King who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This digital newsletter from the CSA Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation office showcases the work of changemakers, opportunities to learn, and opportunities for you to help “bend the arc” toward justice. Full contents of the newsletter are published on this page.
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Realities of the Atomic Age
August 08, 2025
In case you missed the moving Hiroshima-Nagasaki prayer service on August 6, offered by the Franciscan Peace Center, you can watch the recording here. The PowerPoint slides are available here. Please consider the environment before printing the slides.
The Franciscan Sisters also offer this disarmament resource guide: https://clintonfranciscans.com/file/618
CSA was honored to be a co-sponsoring congregation of this program. May the knowledge you discover, lead you to action.
On April 10, 1989 the CSA General Council announced a Corporate Stance on a Nuclear-Free Zone, after a congregational referendum. It reads:
“As Co-Creators in our world, we believe that nuclear arms are destructive of life in all forms and contrary to the Gospel message. Be it resolved that we, the Congregation of St. Agnes of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
- Declare the Motherhouse property of 475 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to be a nuclear free zone, within which no nuclear weapons or any component thereof shall be researched, designed, produced, tested, stored, disposed or permitted in any fashion;
- Declare to the United States Government that we do not want such property defended by the threat or use of nuclear weapons;
- Will not invest in or promote companies which derive a significant income from nuclear weapons production;
- Invite others to take similar actions in their communities and municipalities.
This stance was affirmed by the CSA USA Associate Community in April 2021. It seems it could not only use some updating (for one, the Motherhouse property is now on County Road K), but a recommitment to action. What are you feeling called to do?
Of additional interest, do you know?... In the terrible wake of destruction caused by the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, exactly 80 years ago, one of the two bells of the ancient Urakami Cathedral was also swept away. When the church was rebuilt, that bell tower remained empty. In recent months, several American Catholics have raised funds to rebuild that bell and have donated it to the Cathedral. Peter Michiaki Nakamura, Archbishop of Nagasaki, spoke about this in an interview with Fides: “this new bell was recently installed in the empty bell tower and will ring for the first time at the same time that the atomic bomb exploded in the sky of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.”
The new bell will ring for the first time at 11:04 a.m. on August 9, 2025. For the Archbishop, its ringing “will be a reminder of the victims and a call for peace.” Read more
Lastly, a riveting book recommendation which outlines the realities of what an inbound nuclear missile launch could look like, is “Nuclear War” by Annie Jacobsen.
We pray that the deadly power of nuclear weapons never again be unleashed on God’s people and all of Creation. May we re-commit ourselves to find ways to live together in peace, that we may not be just peace lovers, but peacemakers.
Posted in
Peace & Nonviolence