SW News: On the 78th anniversary of Nagasaki's atomic bomb blast, on August 9, 1945, five Catholic bishops from Japan and the United States made a solemn pledge to work for a world free of nuclear weapons by 2025.

The yearly memorial to the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was marked by a solemn pilgrimage to the two cities by the American bishops. And on August 9, after completing their Pilgrimage of Peace to Japan, Nagasaki Archbishop Peter Michiaki Nakamura, Hiroshima Bishop Alexis Mitsuru Shirahama, Nagasaki Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester, and Seattle Archbishop Paul Etienne issued a formal partnership declaration.

The bishops officially addressed the moral concerns of nuclear weapons ownership in the cooperation statement. In doing so, they have linked themselves with Pope Francis' teachings and beliefs.

They asked global leaders to take action on nuclear weapons, described how they would handle the matter in their different dioceses and archdioceses, and committed to building an interfaith alliance with other religious groups.

The bishops also outlined concrete steps they will take in their respective archdioceses or dioceses, such as interacting with a diverse group of people, such as Hibakusha, peace activists, nuclear engineers, military men, diplomats, uranium miners, and others, to better understand nuclear weapons and their consequences.

They pushed for a unified plea to God for help, an annual Mass for a nuclear-free world, and the collection of an additional collection to aid nuclear victims and the environment.

The prelates also encouraged world leaders to redirect nuclear weapons development and maintenance funding to vulnerable people and environmental issues in order to promote the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty's signature and ratification.

The bishops concluded their proclamation by inviting Christ, the Prince of Peace, to be their continuous companion and partner on their journey as a whole. They prayed to God to bless their relationship and to Mary, Queen of Peace, for help.