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Hiroshima
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60 years after the horror of the first
atomic bomb launched on August 6th on Hiroshima, a group of militants
for nuclear disarmament, coming from different regions of France,
gathered in front of the Commemorative Monument for Peace facing
the Paris Military Academy. It is a pleasure for me to join them
in the early morning.
On this monument the word " Peace " is engraved in
different languages. In the past, Theodore Monod never missed
this August 6th gathering to show his opposition to nuclear armament.
" The preparation of a crime is a crime " he
liked to repeat. |
6O years after, it is impossible
to forget this unprecedented catastrophe, nor the tremendous
sufferings of dozens of thousands of people exposed to radiation!
The launching on August 6th, 1945 of the first atomic bomb pushed
mankind in the nuclear era. An important milestone had been overstepped.
From then on, there is a time before and a time after Hiroshima.
Since then, we have been powerless against nuclear proliferation,
with bombs far more devastating and diversified than the ones
dropped on Japan. We have today hundreds of thousands of tons
of very dangerous nuclear waste that we do not know what to do
with it.
Is it possible to rid our planet of all nuclear arms? Do we have
the courage to get out of the nuclear age before it is too late?
What kind of heritage are we passing to those who come after
us? |
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Summer requests
I was quite surprised by the mail I have received in one
week. It all came in at the same time. A Swiss couple asked me
to bless their wedding next year; a religious man insisted very
much that he be ordained by me; a single woman wished that I
baptise a young African child she was able to adopt; a Belgium
priest asked me to confirm the children of his parish; an old
man insisted that I accept, when the time comes, to celebrate
his funeral mass
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Without any complex, all consider themselves being part of
the diocese of Partenia. For them, frontiers are disappearing. |
But always, a strong desire is expressed: they wished that
their request, loaded with human and spiritual experience, be
respected and taken in account.
Some of them were no more in contact on a habitual basis with
the Church. Standing on the threshold, they were aware of living
an important event that was engaging and filled with meaning
for them. |
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I found they were available to take contact locally with
the Church authorities they did not know that. Where there is
a will, there is a road. A road that brings new ways. |
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The bus driver
This month of August, the streets of Paris are not crowded.
I take pleasure to take a walk in the morning at a time when
the sun is not yet unbearable. Whilst going to the bus stop,
I am surprised to see the bus arriving. Will I make it on time?
I started to run without much hope of success.
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But the bus waited at the stop, as if I was expected. All
out of breath, I thanked the young driver. " |
I am the one that is glad that you are there " he
told me smiling.
" I recognize myself in your combats. What is important
is the human being.
Me, I am fighting to prevent that the transport be privatized.
It is a public service and it must remain a public service. If
transport, health and education are privatized, we will all become
merchandise; it will create disparities".
Standing next to him, I approved. |
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Then the driver told me: " I am not a believer. "
" Recently, I learned that a woman had been ordained as
priest. I think it is a good thing. Why should we not be tolerant
and open? "
" Thank you for being tolerant and open " I told him.
" I have to get off here. This meeting will enlighten my
day".
" Me too. See you soon " |