Japan’s bishops have called for greater commitment to peace in a 60th-Anniversary Message of Peace, issued to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of the dropping of two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

The Catholic Church in Japan is due to hold a "Catholic Period for Peace in Japan" from 6 - 15 August at which the message will be reiterated. The dates of the event mark the first atomic explosion at Hiroshima and the end of World War II.

The bishops wrote in their message, "The Catholic Church in Japan must be conscious of its prophetic role, both in the protection of human life as well as in asking forgiveness from God and from all those people who had to endure immense suffering during World War II."

The bishops urged members of the Japanese faith community to "intensify their prayers for peace in the world, and to promote concrete initiatives for peaceful solutions to conflicts."

The message continued: "The Japanese people have learned to accept their history, made up of invasions and violent colonisations. Let us reflect on all this and again undertake the journey."

A Mass is to be held on 6 August in Hiroshima’s city cathedral and presided by Bishop Joseph Atsumi Misue of Hiroshima, in eternal memory of the victims of the atom bombs.

Special guests will be Catholics from Nagasaki.