Fr. Arrupe, Helped People in Hiroshima. "Gratitude beyond religions, beliefs and nations"~75 years Hiroshima~ Day44/50
Spanish Doctor / Jesuit Father Arrupe
Father Arrupe was a doctor who studied medicine at the University of Madrid. On August 6, 1945, Father Pedro Arrupe was exposed to the Nagatsuka Monastery 5.5 km from the hypocenter, but he had started to treat wounded people immediately after the atomic bombing.
A total of 16 Jesuit foreign Fathers and priests, including Father Arrupe, were exposed in Hiroshima. Five German Fathers and priests were exposed in two other churches in Hiroshima, eleven of them including Fr. Arrupe and two Korean priests were in the Nagatsuka Monastery at the moment of atomic bombing. Some of them got severe injuries.
Gratitude
My aunt and mother still tell the story of Father Arrupe were transporting wounded and sick people with a two-wheeled cart to their monastery. They helped people, even if they were sick and also some of their colleagues seriously injured. At that time, they must had recognized that they would be misunderstood as an enemy because of their looks. But they helped local people.
As a Japanese, I am sincerely grateful for Fr. Arrupe and his colleagues. Their actions are a hope, I feel. The hope is for the future, I think.
My aunt, who was exposed to radiation, and my mother who attended a church in Yamaguchi after the war, talk about Fr.Arrupe, and they are very grateful that his caring actions rescued the people.
Courage to help others, even at the risk of being mistaken for an enemy
Father Arrupe and some of his colleagues decided to go to Hiroshima to do a rescue operation, which was very dangerous at the time. When people who lost their family and were injured see foreigners, they may suspect they are enemies or spies. It was a big risk to be attacked.
It was difficult to even walk outside on the asphalt road, which was softened by heat. They helped the dying people, even if they were hurt with their helplessness.
Aware of Abnormal Symptoms
A burn patient said.
"I saw a bright flash and heard the explosion, but nothing happened to me. After about 30 minutes, blisters appeared on the surface of my skin. After 4-5 hours, a large burn appeared, which soon became suppurated, but I has never been burn with fire."
Fr. Arrupe cannot know that the new bomb emits radiation. However, hehad noticed the unusual symptoms.
It can be understood that the above-mentioned symptoms, are due to the fact that radiation including infrared rays has damaged muscles etc inside of the body. Many doctors including Fr. Arrupe could not solve their question of the key symptom.
Devotion for Wounded People
Burns and injuries were severe, right after the atomic bomb was dropped. It was so miserable that it could not be expressed in words. The dying people came to the Nagatsuka Monastery where the building has not collapsed.
Father Arrupe immediately opened the Nagatsuka Monastery as a temporary hospital for people. He treated more than 200 people there. Medical supply was limited. He mixed boric acid and water, soaked a bandage, wrapped it around the burn. Patients were relieved to have care from him.
There was no pain relief. The only other thing he could do was wash the wound with water, but without giving up. There is no doubt that the treatment was encouraging to the patient. Boric acid may not be used today for treatment, but I can easily imagine that Father Arrupe was desperately treated to prevent burns and trauma from infection.
As a doctor, I respect him. But not only that.
As a human, I feel something.