53rd Memorial Service for the Victims of the Atomic BombingAugust 8, 2025, NagasakiMost Reverend Paul D. Etienne, DD, STL Dear friends, brothers and sisters, esteemed guests,We come together on sacred ground. Tomorrow marks eighty years since that dreadful moment – 11:02 am on August 9, 1945 – when a single Read more…
Today’s Gospel from Matthew (16:24-28) has a stark clarity when visiting the sight of the 26 Japanese Martyrs. (1597) Jesus instructed his disciples: Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but Read more…
I was given the last speaking spot of our symposium today. Below is the presentation I provided: August 6, 2025, Elizabeth University School of Music, Hiroshima, Japan Good afternoon, friends. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, our world still yearns for peace. Read more…
This year’s pilgrimage to Japan to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki includes the Nuncio to Japan, Archbishop Francisco Escalante Molina, all bishops of Japan, four bishops from the US; Cardinal Cupich of Chicago, Cardinal McElroy from Washington DC, Archbishop Wester from Santa Fe Read more…
Something as catastrophic as the possibility of nuclear war is seldom thought about. And yet, the very real weapons of mass-destruction exist, as do plans for their potential use. The world population now lives under the unrealistic ‘political-think’ of deterrence. Meaning, that if anyone were actually irresponsible enough to launch Read more…
As I make my way to Hiroshima today to begin another pilgrimage of hope and peace to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, perhaps it would be helpful to give some background and reasons why nuclear weapons are such a threat to humanity. As Read more…
People filled St. James Cathedral for the Mass of Ordination today for Rev. Joseph Tapia-Beeman. The prayers and music made for a faith-filled and joyous celebration. The Livestream video and homily are below. More pictures to follow. You can learn more about Fr. Joseph in this article in the Northwest Read more…
On this feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Archdiocese of Seattle celebrates our 175th anniversary! May 31, 1850, Pope Pius IX created a new diocese of Nesqually in what was then called “Oregon Territory.” Today, exactly 175 years later, we come together in all our diversity to remember Read more…
This morning the bishops of Washington State filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new law requiring bishops and priests (clergy) to violate the seal of confession. Governor Ferguson signed the bill into law on May 2nd and it is scheduled to take effect July 27 of this year. Read more…
Towards the end of this year’s legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill (SB5375) making all clergy mandatory reporters of abuse, with no exemptions for the privileged communication between priest and penitent during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This means that by Washington State Law, Catholic clergy are now Read more…