Commemorating Nagasaki: A Historic Moment at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Nagasaki’s Immaculate Conception Cathedral, rebuilt in 1959 following its near-total destruction from the atomic blast, will resonate with a dual chime for the first time in 80 years this Saturday. This momentous event marks the 80th anniversary of the tragic atomic bombing by the United States on August 9, 1945.
As the bells toll in unison, crowds are expected to gather at this prominent site in Japan, remembering the devastating impact of the bomb that claimed around 74,000 lives in Nagasaki, following the earlier bombing in Hiroshima. The church, also known as Urakami Cathedral, stands just a few hundred meters from where the bomb was detonated, and it only salvaged one of its original bells after the disaster.
Thanks to generous donations from the Catholic community in the U.S., a new bell has been constructed and will ring at precisely 11:02 AM—marking the moment of the original attack. This year’s commemorative events in Nagasaki are anticipated to attract representatives from nearly 100 countries, with notable attendance from nations including Russia and Israel, both of whom faced previous exclusions from similar events due to ongoing conflicts.
James Nolan, a sociology professor at Williams College in Massachusetts and grandson of a Manhattan Project participant, spearheaded the fundraising initiative to restore the second bell. His year-long lecture series across the U.S. raised about $125,000, enabling this crucial addition to the cathedral.
Nolan expressed the emotional reactions during the unveiling, stating, “Many were brought to tears.” The cathedral’s chief priest, Kenichi Yamamura, reinforced the significance of this act, emphasizing the importance of recognizing past wounds, taking action to heal, and fostering a collective commitment to peace.