Today we raise our voice to demand nuclear disarmament, on the occasion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, established since 2013 by the UN.
Nuclear weapons constitute one of the greatest risks to the survival of humankind, which is why the United Nations has been working for decades to eliminate them. Any use of nuclear weapons would have devastating consequences for humanity and the environment, impacting present and future generations indelibly.
Despite this, there are still more than 12,500 nuclear weapons in the world today.
On this day dedicated to the elimination of this great danger, we echo the non-violent and proactive indignation contained in our Chapter Document “Born Again”, because from there it is important to denounce situations of abuse, conflict and risk, and to demand actions to resolve them:
“We want to live a spirituality that cultivates interiority, silence and nonviolent and proactive indignation. This indignation involves cultivating a certain attitude in the face of situations of injustice, violence or indifference. Sometimes, in the face of conflicts, we react with fear and impulsiveness, attacking; at other times, we flee from them or act with retaliation. Nonviolent indignation leads us to take into account the needs of those who provoke evil, because they are my brother, my sister, and they are as human as I am, even if their actions are not humanizing. Nonviolence transforms the energy of our indignation, rage and anger into lucidity that analyzes the situation and creativity that proposes new actions and channels to combat evil and put a stop to it.”
NdN 19, 20
Today we unite in the power of prayer to dream together of a world where nuclear weapons are but a bad memory of the past.
Prayer for nuclear disarmament
Almighty Father, who created our world and gave us life:
Under the nuclear threat that worries us
we come to you with confidence
and we ask you to have mercy on this humanity that is moving away from your love.
He gives prudence and wisdom to all rulers.
Some of them warn of their “nuclear button”.
There is also the risk of accidents, attacks,…
Gives the powerful responsibility, audacity and humility
to achieve dialogue and reconciliation
and find creative ways
to end the weapons that threaten human life and the planet.
We beg you: free us from the arms race,
of war, violence and self-destruction.
If you wish, keep the danger of a nuclear catastrophe away from us.
We humbly ask for international security and peace.
And also the confidence that behind every small and great event
you are waiting for us to embrace us and unite us to your boundless love.
Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace:
Pray with us that God will deliver us from war.
Insist again that your Son work the miracle.
Protect us, Mother, give us the warmth of your love.
and shows again the unlimited power of mercy.
Source: Aleteia
