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Churches speak out as signatory nations gather

A review of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) is due to take place in 2010. As the first step toward this review, representatives of those states that are party to the treaty are set to gather in Vienna on Monday (30 April 2007).

In advance of Monday’s meeting, the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Alan McDonald, and the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, have issued a joint statement calling for the NPT to be strengthened and demanding that the UK Government renounce its plans to renew Trident.

The text of the joint statement follows below:

On behalf of the two largest churches in Scotland, from where the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons are currently deployed, we are sending this message to the representatives of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), gathering in Vienna on April 30.

Like millions of people around the world, we are deeply concerned that nuclear weapons are continuing to be manufactured, modernised, upgraded and renewed. We consider these weapons of mass destruction to be immoral, inhumane, and contrary to the teachings of all the world’s major faiths. Nuclear dangers and human insecurity will increase if nuclear weapons continue to be treated by some countries as a currency of power or as if they were an indispensable part of defence for the foreseeable future.

As diplomats representing billions of the world’s peoples gather in Vienna, you know that it is vital that all governments do their utmost to stop the spread, acquisition and continuation of nuclear weapons that threaten all humanity and the creation itself.

An example, close to home for us, is the recent decision by the current British government to procure the next generation of nuclear weapons, intending to extend the deployment of Trident into the 2050s and beyond. This planned renewal of Trident is contrary to international law and opposed by the majority of people in Scotland. It is important for NPT States Parties to reaffirm that any renewal, modernisation or upgrading of nuclear weapons is contrary to the objectives of the NPT and to the undertakings of the nuclear weapon states contained in consensus decisions and agreements of NPT Parties in 1995 and 2000.

Scotland’s churches have a long history of opposition to nuclear weapons. In April 2006 the Catholic Bishops of Scotland called for Trident to be decommissioned rather than renewed, and urged that the money saved should instead be spent on aid and development. This followed from a statement by the Catholic Bishops of Scotland in 1982, which made clear that ‘If it is immoral to use these [nuclear] weapons it is also immoral to threaten their use.’ As Pope Benedict XVI clearly stated in January 2006, ‘In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims’.

In May 2006, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland reiterated its strongly-held view on the immorality of nuclear weapons and called on the Government not to renew Trident, stating that: ‘To replace Trident would represent a further announcement to the world that safety and security can only be achieved by threatening mass destruction; this is to encourage others to believe the same, and thus to hasten proliferation.’

We have urged the British government to take this historic opportunity to devalue these ‘weapons of terror’ and renounce its plans to renew Trident. Such a step would strengthen the NPT and underline that its core obligation is not just to reduce nuclear arsenals, but to eliminate them. We believe that, instead of perpetuating nuclear proliferation, Britain could show real leadership and humanity.

At this time in history we believe that the NPT is more important than ever, and we will do what we can as churches to impress on our political leaders the importance of strengthening its application and living by its principles. We wish you God’s blessing on your important work.

Right Rev Alan D McDonald,
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien,
President of Scotland RC Bishops’ Conference

nr/45/04/07

Friday 27 April 2007

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