2025年 沖縄慰霊の日
司教メッセージ
『沖縄を戦場から非武装中立平和特区へ』
今年はアジア太平洋戦争終結80周年の節目の年です。この日、沖縄とアジア各地で亡くなったすべての犠牲者の永遠の安らぎを祈り求めます。
ここ沖縄では、敗戦から80年間、何度も繰り返されてきた「二度と繰り返さない！」「二度と繰り返させない！」という言葉が、いまだに繰り返し叫ばれ続けています。
沖縄は、「ありったけの地獄を集めた」と言われる戦場のありとあらゆる醜さや残忍さ、人間性の喪失、あらゆるものの破壊の体験から、戦争の愚かさ、かけがえのない命の尊さ、そしてすべてのものに命を分け与える自然の尊さを学びました。このことから、私たちはすべての戦争を完全に否定し、拒否する方法を求め続けてきました。
しかし、こうした沖縄の願いとは裏腹に、近隣諸国の脅威を理由に、再び戦争への備えを強いられ、戦闘終結後も続く軍事に伴うあらゆる人権侵害と人間の尊厳を踏みにじる行為に いまだにさらされ続けています。特に最近は、強引な要塞化が県全体におよび、自国とその同盟国によって自治権が侵害され、再び戦場とされるのを拒む沖縄の民意と人権そのものが無視されているのです。
私たちがこの「慰霊の日」を設け、すべての戦争の犠牲者を追悼するのは、単に追悼儀式としてではなく、犠牲とされた命の苦しみと悲しみを二度と繰り返さないため、そして、亡くなった人々の無念と悔悟、苦悩や悲痛に応えて、不戦の誓いを新たにし、真の平和を希求するためです。
カトリック那覇教区は、不戦の誓いを果たし、自治権の完全な回復を実現する具体的な手段として、沖縄が非武装中立平和特区となることをここに提案します。これにより軍事基地に起因するすべての人権侵害と軍備の拒否を成し遂げ、もう二度と、武装しない させないことで、沖縄が誰とも敵対することなく、すべての人と友愛関係を築き、相互交流の拠点、相互扶助の社会、人と自然の共生の場、いにしえからの理想である万国を結ぶ懸け橋『万国津梁』を実現することができるのです。大国間の覇権争いや敵対関係に巻き込まれることなく、どの国の人とも仲睦まじく、平和に生きてゆけるのです。
この提案を単なる夢物語と切り捨て、あざ笑う人がいるかもしれません。でも、これはわたし一人の考えではありません。これは、あまりにも残忍で汚辱にまみれた戦争の体験から、「二度とこのような思いを誰にもさせてはならない。」と願うすべての戦争犠牲者と戦争体験者の切実な思いであり、また、すべての生命とこの世界が、創造主から託された賜物だと信じる人々の願いでもあります。私たちはこれを信じ、目指すべき道だと確信します。
慈しみ溢れる父よ、この沖縄の地、またアジア各地、そして全世界の戦争犠牲者をかえりみてください。彼らの無念と悔悟をあなたの愛で癒し、慰めてください。その切なる願いを聞き入れ、今を生きるわたしたちに、彼らの悲願である愛と平和な世界を実現する使命をまっとうさせてください。
全人類の苦悩と死をその身にお引き受けになった御子イエスよ、互いに敵対する私たちを憐れんでください。徹底した非暴力をつらぬき、あらゆる悪意に対立することなくすべてを包み込んだあなたの愛を信じます。その愛と非暴力の道を歩ませてください。決して諦めることなく、沖縄をあなたの愛と非暴力の交わる場とすることができますように。
いのちの泉である聖霊よ、父と子の愛の溢れ出であるあなたご自身でこの世界を満たしてください。被造界への畏敬を呼び覚まし、その恵みを正しく分かち合わせてください。収奪のない、分かち合いの世界を目指し、すべてのものが満たされた地上の平和を実現できるよう、私たちを駆り立ててください。
わたしたちの主イエス・キリストによって アーメン。
2025 Okinawa Memorial Day Message
Bishop Wayne Berndt OFM Cap.
“Okinawa ～ From a Battlefield to a Neutral and Demilitarized Zone of Peace”
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Asia-Pacific War. On this day, we pray for the eternal rest of all the victims who died in Okinawa and throughout Asia.
Since the defeat of Japan in the war 80 years ago, the words: “Never again!” has been repeated, “over and over again,” in Okinawa. From the experience of war in all its ugliness and brutality; from the loss of human dignity and the destruction of everything in Okinawa during the war; the battle of Okinawa came to be remembered as, “an unleashing of all the forces of hell”. From all this, Okinawans have learned the utter insanity of war, that irreplaceable life is a treasure, and about the preciousness of live-giving nature. For this reason, we have continued to deny any need for war and have categorically rejected all wars.
However, contrary to the wishes of the people of Okinawa, the threat of neighboring countries has forced the Japanese government to use Okinawa once again in their perceived need to prepare for a future war. Because of this reasoning, Okinawa continues to be subjected to all kinds of human rights violations and acts that trample on human dignity that accompany the presence of a foreign military force on the islands. In recent times, the entire prefecture has been forcibly fortified by our country and its allies, and the people of Okinawa have had their autonomy and human rights violated, as their desire to not allow Okinawa to be turned into a battlefield again has been completely ignored.
The reason we have established this Memorial Day to pray for all the victims of war is not simply to have a commemoration ceremony, but to ensure that we will never again experience war in Okinawa. On this day, we want to feel once again the pain and sorrow of the lives that were sacrificed. We want to respond to the regret, remorse, anguish and grief of those who died, by renewing our vow not to wage war again by aspiring for true peace for us and for our children now.
The Catholic Diocese of Naha hereby proposes that Okinawa become a demilitarized, neutral, and special peace zone as a concrete means of fulfilling our vow not to wage war again through the complete restoration of local autonomy. To achieve this goal, we propose that an autonomous Okinawa reject having armaments and the hosting of military bases. Military bases mean human rights violations and having armaments means preparations for war. Local autonomy will allow Okinawans to make their own decisions on these matters.
By never arming again, Okinawa will be able to build friendly relationships with everyone without being hostile to anyone. It will become the basis for mutual exchanges and the giving of mutual aid. Okinawa will become a place for the peaceful coexistence of humanity with nature. Okinawa will once again become a bridge connecting all nations; the restoration of the ancient ideal of Okinawa as a “Bridge to Nations.” We can live in harmony and peace with people from all countries without getting caught up in the struggle for hegemony or hostility between the great powers.
Some may dismiss this proposal as a mere dream and ridicule it. But this is not my own opinion. This is the earnest wish of all war victims and war survivors who, having experienced a war that was so brutal and humiliating, wish that “no one should ever have to go through such a thing again.” It is also the wish of those who believe that all life and this world are gifts entrusted to us by the Creator. We believe this, and we are convinced that this is the path we must pursue.
Gracious Father, please look upon the victims of war in Okinawa, all over Asia, and all over the world. Please heal their souls and comfort them in their regret and remorse with your love. Hear their heartfelt pleas and allow us, who live in the present, to fulfill their fervent desire to realize a world of love and peace.
Jesus, your Son, who took upon himself the suffering and death of all humanity, have mercy on us who are enemies of one another. We believe in your love that is nonviolent and embraces everyone and everything without malice of any kind. Let us walk the path of love and nonviolence. May we never give up and make Okinawa a place where your love and nonviolence come together in harmony.
Holy Spirit, fountain of life, fill this world with yourself, and with an outflowing of the love of the Father and the Son. Awaken our reverence for the created world and allow us to share its blessings properly. Lead us to strive for a world of sharing without exploitation and to realize peace on earth where all life is honored and blessed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. (Irei no Hi June 23, 2025 Memorial Day)
