A Journey of Hope Towards Japan: Exercising My Global Responsibilities and Catholic Beliefs
Georgetown Student Embarks on a Journey of Hope and Diplomacy
Luke Hughes, a student from Lake Forest, Illinois, and a Georgetown University Storyteller, recently participated in the Pilgrimage of Hope to Japan. This faith-based initiative, organized by the Partnership for a World Without Nuclear Weapons (PWNW), aimed to honor the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The PWNW is a cross-national coalition that promotes peace and nuclear disarmament through solidarity, education, advocacy, and supporting treaty efforts. Established by the Diocese of Hiroshima and the Archdiocese of Nagasaki in Japan, along with the Archdioceses of Santa Fe and Seattle in the United States, the partnership emphasizes humanitarian perspectives on nuclear weapons.
During his journey, Luke deepened his understanding of the events of August 1945, honoring the lives lost and gaining a renewed appreciation for how he can use his Catholic identity to create a world of peace. He attended Mass and remembrance events on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, the exact dates of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively.
Luke also visited various museums to learn about the public health and environmental effects of atomic weapons. One of these visits was to the Jesuit novitiate where Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., saved hundreds of Hiroshima bombing survivors. Fr. Arrupe famously called for people to be "women and men for others."
Throughout the pilgrimage, Luke bonded with students from Sophia University and Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University. They exchanged Instagram usernames and phone numbers to stay in touch, and their conversations ranged from sports to diplomatic relations between their countries.
Luke sees the pilgrimage as a demonstration of Jesuit ideals, as he believes that all students strive to be leaders in faith and diplomacy. He attributes his drive to address complex issues to his Jesuit education, which encourages students to be men and women for others.
In 2017, three years before his passing, Pope Francis declared the use of nuclear weapons and their possession immoral. Luke believes that cross-Pacific student-to-student relationships can lead to an end to conflicts and peace in the world, echoing the Pope's call for the broader faith community to protect humanity from the dangers of atomic weapons.
The PWNW is involved in expanding international peace and solidarity networks, advocating for the ratification and implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and strengthening the common good of protecting life and the environment from nuclear weapons threats. The partnership supports efforts aligned with treaties like the TPNW and works to connect religious and civil society actors in urging global nuclear disarmament and the prohibition of nuclear weapons.
In addition to the PWNW, broader international efforts for nuclear disarmament include organizations like the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and multinational governmental groupings such as the G7 Non-Proliferation Directors Group. These entities work on policy advocacy, treaty implementation, and nuclear non-proliferation.
On the last night of the pilgrimage, Luke and the students went to a karaoke bar in Nagasaki, further strengthening their bonds and shared commitment to a world without nuclear weapons. Luke's journey serves as a testament to the power of faith, education, and cross-cultural exchange in promoting peace and nuclear disarmament.
- Luke's journey during the Pilgrimage of Hope emphasized the importance of academic topics such as international affairs and education-and-self-development, particularly in his understanding of nuclear disarmament and peace.
- The environment, both physical and social, played a significant role in Luke's student life at Georgetown University, as seen during his visits to museums in Japan that highlighted the long-term effects of atomic weapons.
- Apart from being involved in academics, Luke's university experience encompassed aspects of student life, including the formation of lasting bonds with international students from universities like Sophia University and Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University.
- The lifestyle of these international students, as shown by their conversations about sports, diplomatic relations, and shared commitment towards peace, underscores the value of diversity and cross-cultural exchange within university faculty and community.
