NAGASAKI: A Catholic mass was held at Nagasaki’s Urakami Cathedral early on the morning of August 9, on the 75th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city.

The mass, attended by 250 Catholics and other people, started at the chime of bells at 5:30 a.m. 

The cathedral is a rebuilt structure after the original one was destroyed by the atomic bombing Aug. 9, 1945. 

During the mass, priest Daichi Miyahara talked about a woman who kept praying for others until her death though she suffered strong pain due to radiation from the bombing.

“We confirm again our determination to strengthen our solidarity with the world further in this milestone year,” Miyahara said.

“Every year on this day, I pray that no such sad thing will ever happen again,” said local resident Mitsuko Oda, 76. She said she attends the annual mass every year to pray for the victims.

Another Nagasaki resident Sachiko Matsuo, 86, complained of the government’s tepid response to calls for a world without nuclear weapons. She said she lost her father, elderly brother and elderly sister because of the atomic bombing.

JIJI Press