Pilgrimage of Peace

A World Without Nuclear Weapons

“Never again war, never again the clash of arms, never again so much suffering! May peace come in our time and to our world.”
~ Pope Francis, Peace Memorial, November 2019

Walking Together for Peace

In partnership with the arch/diocese of Santa Fe, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a group of pilgrims prayed and dialogued together for world peace during a Pilgrimage for Peace in Japan in August 2023. On August 9, we, the bishops of these four arch/dioceses signed a declaration expressing our intention to create a Partnership with the aim of realizing a world without nuclear weapons. We then spent a year honing its focus, preparing its bylaws and more to promote and expand the partnership based on this declaration.

Link to more info

Archbishop Public Remarks

Congratulations to Nihon Hidankyo for 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

Walking Together for World Peace and letter from Archbishop Etienne Aug 6, 2024

August 6, 2024 - A joint invitation from Archbishop John C. Wester, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, and the bishops of Nagasaki and Hiroshima

Walking Together for World Peace

Request for Cooperation in Building a Partnership for a World Without Nuclear Weapons

Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings. We will also be celebrating the Holy Jubilee, and it is hoped that efforts will be made in line with its intentions.

Read full letter

August 6, 2024 - A letter from Archbishop Etienne on the one-year anniversary of the Pilgrimage of Peace:

A year ago, I traveled with a delegation from Seattle and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to the exact spots where nuclear bombs fell in Hiroshima and Nagasaki...

Letter in English | Letter in Spanish

Archbishop Wester Aug 5 Hiroshima Presentation

Archbishop Etienne Aug 5 Hiroshima Reflection

Archbishop Wester Aug 7 Interfaith Dialogue

Archbishop Etienne Aug 8 Reflection

Partnership Declaration for World Without Nuclear Weapons

August 9, 2023 - On the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we, the bishops of four Catholic arch/dioceses in areas impacted by nuclear weapons, declare that we will begin working together to achieve a “world without nuclear weapons.”

Archdiocese of Seattle - Official Release

Signed Agreement: Partnership for a World without Nuclear Weapons - English

Signed Agreement:核兵器のない世界のためのパートナーシップ

Pilgrimage of Peace

The 2023 Pilgrimage of Peace established an ecclesial and personal relationship with the bishops of Japan to work toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. Through open dialogue, shared prayers, and a commitment to unity, we strive to build to ensure such human suffering is never inflicted upon humanity again. With the Holy Spirit as our guiding light, and under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Nagasaki, we embark on this mission, standing with the bishops of Japan to create a legacy of peace for current and future generations.

Digital booklet of Archbishop Etienne's Pilgrimage of Peace reflections

Pilgrims

Who: Delegations from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and Seattle will travel together representing two major nuclear strongholds in the United States. They will be escorted by Hirokazu Miyazaki, Anthropology Professor at Northwestern University and Peace Correspondent for Nagasaki.