Check out latest news Don't miss our upcoming program! Get involved and be the change!
  • Manila, Phillipines
  • paxromanaimcsap@gmail.com
open-navigation
close-navigation
DONATE

Pax Jubilee 2025 Declaration: A Catholic Call for Peace and a Nuclear-Free Asia-Pacific

Published: 1 June 2025
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

What Is the Pax Jubilee 2025 Declaration?

The Pax Jubilee 2025 Declaration is a prophetic message of hope and action, signed by Catholic bishops, organizations, and communities across Asia-Pacific. Rooted in faith and guided by the Gospel, it calls for a peaceful future without nuclear weapons—especially in a region still marked by the wounds of war. This declaration is inspired by the spirit of the Jubilee Year 2025 and commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was prepared by Pax Romana, Pax Christi, and the International Young Theologians Collective (IYTC) as a way to live out the call to be peacemakers in today’s world.

Why This Declaration Matters?

Remembering history, reclaiming peace. The launch of this declaration marks several powerful anniversaries:

  • 80 years since the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations in 1945.

  • 80 years since the liberation of Indonesia and Korea from colonial rule.

  • 60 years of diplomatic peace-building between Japan and South Korea.

  • 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, a reminder of the human cost of conflict.

Each of these events reminds us of the urgent need for reconciliation, peace, and nuclear disarmament in our time.

A Catholic Response to the Threat of Nuclear Weapons

Echoing Pope Francis’ Words

As Pope Francis said during his visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, “The use of nuclear weapons, as well as their mere possession, is immoral.” The declaration renews this moral stance and urges all governments especially those possessing nuclear weapons to:

  • Ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

  • Fully implement the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

  • Honor the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

A Faith-Filled Commitment to Justice and Reconciliation

The declaration is not only political it is spiritual. It reflects our Catholic belief that peace comes from justice, and justice begins with truth. The signatories commit to: 

  • Honestly acknowledging historical injustices, such as colonization, war, and occupation.

  • Participating in global peace efforts, especially with the Partnership for a World Without Nuclear Weapons (PWNW).

  • Fostering intercultural and interfaith dialogue to build bridges of trust.

  • Empowering young Catholics to become leaders for peace, especially in the lead-up to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul.

  • Promoting restorative justice to heal past wounds and sow seeds of sustainable peace

The Pax Jubilee 2025 Declaration has been signed by leading Catholic figures and organizations across the Asia-Pacific region. Among them are

 

Bishop from: 

  • Japan – Including dioceses of Hiroshima, Nagoya, and Niigata.

  • South Korea – Including Jeju and Uijeongbu.

  • Bangladesh – Diocese of Rajshahi.

  • Indonesia – Ketapang and Tanjungkarang.

  • Philippines – Bangued and Cagayan de Oro.

  • Vietnam – Phan Thiet.

  • Pax Romana (IMCS & ICMICA)

  • Pax Christi (Asia, USA, and Australia)

  • International Youth Training Center (IYTC)

Together, they represent a united Catholic voice across borders and cultures, affirming the Church’s mission as a beacon of peace.

The official launch of the declaration will take place on 16 July 2025, a significant date marking the anniversary of the first nuclear bomb test in New Mexico, USA, in 1945. In addition, it will be solemnly presented during memorial Masses in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 2025, respectively honoring the lives lost and renewing our commitment to a nuclear-free future. 

 

As followers of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are called to be instruments of healing in a world that desperately needs it. The Pax Jubilee 2025 Declaration is not just for bishops and organizations it is for all of us. This is a time to pray for peace, teach the next generation, and stand together in our shared mission to end violence, promote justice, and uphold the dignity of every human person. Let us answer the call to be peacemakers, truth tellers, and reconcilers in the spirit of the Gospel.