A Step Toward Healing
In a poignant ceremony held on Thursday, Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki welcomed a new bell, named the “St. Kateri Bell of Hope,” into its embrace. A symbol of resilience and reconciliation, this bell replaces one destroyed during the tragic atomic bombing of August 9, 1945. The blessing was attended by more than a hundred participants, led by Peter Michiaki Nakamura, the archbishop of Nagasaki.
The Historic Loss
The U.S. bomb dropped near the cathedral not only shattered a city but also silenced the voices within the sacred space. On that fateful day, two priests and twenty-four followers were among the more than seventy thousand lives lost in Nagasaki. Japan’s surrender followed, marking the end of World War II.
A Journey of Restoration
The project to restore the bell was initiated by James Nolan Jr., deeply moved by Nagasaki’s history and inspired during his 2023 visit. Learning of the cathedral’s past through a conversation with a local Catholic, Kojiro Moriuchi, Nolan embarked on a mission. Nolan raised funds for the bell’s creation, emphasizing a message of hope in his lectures on the atomic bombing and historical Catholic persecution in Japan.
Echoes of the Past
Meeting heartfelt anticipation, Nolan shared his emotional response upon hearing the bell’s first ring. “It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined,” he remarked, expressing his hope for the bell’s sound to resonate unity and peace in today’s divided world.
A Legacy of Peace
Moriuchi, the storyteller of the bell’s history, gently touched the bell, expressing gratitude for preserving its legacy. He envisions the Urakami Cathedral as a sanctuary for peace-lovers worldwide, a place to gather and reflect on history’s lessons.
A Personal Connection to History
Nolan’s connection to the Manhattan Project, through his grandfather, lends the project a deep, personal resonance. His book, “Atomic Doctors,” delves into the ethical complexities faced by medical professionals involved in creating the atomic bombs, providing a unique lens into these consequential decisions.
The new bell will be hung in the cathedral on the bombing’s anniversary, not only completing the site’s restoration but also perhaps inspiring a future of healing and unity. According to Lowell Sun, such restorations connect us to our past and inspire hope for a unified future.
