Abbey-Roads2

The other anniversary.

Hiroshima.  Usually noted by world news with a brief video memorial of ceremonies  in Japan, or even a stateside peace service in a Japanese civic-garden someplace, August 6th remains the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb upon the civilian population of Hiroshima.  Otherwise it seems to me the anniversary is something few people seem to want to talk about - and if it is discussed - one better not be critical of the United States.  Western Confucian has two very interesting posts with quotes from famous Americans who have been honest enough to remember Hiroshima in a way sure to offend some…

“When, I wonder, did we in America ever get into this idea that freedom means having no boundaries and no limits?” asked Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. “I think it began on the 6th of August 1945 at 8:15 am when we dropped the bomb on Hiroshima… Somehow or other, from that day on in our American life, we say we want no limits and no boundaries.” - The Most Powerful Blow Against Christian Civilization and Moral Law  

[T]he use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. . . . My own feeling was that in being the first to use it, we had adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the Dark Ages. I was not taught to make wars in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying women and children. - Admiral William D. Leahy, Truman’s own chief of staff. 

 Alas, as Joshua from Western Confucian notes:

“Times have changed, and Messrs. Maley and Uday point out that “conservative commentators” now “denounce any and all critics of the atomic bombing of Japanese cities as ‘left-wingers,’ ’self-haters,’ ‘wacko communists,’ ‘ultraliberal Americans,’ ‘idealistic fools,’ and (one of our favorites) ‘peace-at-any-pricers and ban-the-bombers.’” - Western Confucian

Remembering the Servant of God, Paul VI: on the 30th anniversary of his death.

Our Holy Father Paul VI has been much maligned and criticized in his lifetime and continues to be after death - especially by many traditionalists who seek a scapegoat for all the problems the Church has suffered since the Council.  Not unlike John Paul II, who has also been highly criticized, Paul VI was not immune to assassination attempts.  The most notable occurred in the Philippines when a man armed with a knife nearly attacked him. Indeed, he was the target of a vicious character assassination attempt as well.  At one point in his pontificate, an ex-seminarian or priest? - if I remember correctly - probably a homosexual activist, accused him of homosexuality. I distinctly recall a news clip of the Pope decrying the slander on television wherein his voice broke with emotion, denouncing the slanderous accusation. “The Holy Father will have much to suffer.” (Our Lady’s prophecy at Fatima.) Pope Paul VI surely did suffer. Physically, morally, and spiritually. He had nearly crippling arthritis, making it difficult for him to walk in his later years. He resorted to the use of the sedan chair carried by attendants when celebrating liturgical functions at St. Peter’s and elsewhere in Rome.  (JPII used automated transport.) - From a previous post.

Documentation on one of the many moral sufferings endured by the Holy Father…

13).POPE PAUL VI (1897 - 1978)
When Italian magazine Tempo published an article in 1967 asserting that he was a homosexual, Pope Paul VI took the unusual step of issuing a denial in a public speech from his balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. He called the magazine’s assertions “ a horrible and slanderous insinuation”,and implored Catholics to “pray for our humble person, who has been made a target of scorn… by a certain press lacking dutiful regard for honesty and truth.” Soon afterward, Italian police began mass confiscation of the magazine, on grounds that it had libeled the Catholic church. - Source

In fact, a day of reparation was called for throughout Italy.