Archbishop Caccia delivers Statement to UN on Nuclear Weapons
Independent Catholic News (7/4/23) reports the statement delivered to the UN on behalf of the Holy See. Read More
The Dean of Coventry, Rev Canon John Whitcombe, on the Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons
Watch this YouTube clip of Canon Whitcombe commenting on the TPNW and reflect on the work of the Community of the Cross of Nails. Watch here.
Getting your Council to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (26/7/22)
CND recently held a workshop on ‘How to get our councils to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)’. If you didn’t manage to see it live, it’s now available to watch on CND’s website, see https://cnduk.org/cnds-lockdown-seminars/.
Nuclear Weapons are now ILLEGAL!
The Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty (NWBT) came into force on the 22nd January 2021
50 nations have agreed that they won’t possess, develop, test, use or encourage other countries to use nuclear weapons. They also agreed to help victims of nuclear weapon’s usage and testing and also agreed to clean up the environmental impact of nuclear weapons. Pope Francis is a strong supporter of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and The Holy See was one of the first states to sign and ratify it.
Our government has not engaged with the Treaty process and continues to spend huge sums of money on Trident nuclear submarines. The new international law will not be binding on the UK. However previous experience with landmines and biological weapons has shown that a UN ban treaty process can nevertheless delegitimise and then eliminate these weapons globally. We need to make sure this happens!
Statements
Pax Christi EW President, Malcom McMahon, endorses the interfaith statement on the Treat on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (see video below):
ban nuclear weapons (Pax Christi International)Download
light of the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear WeaponsDownload
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Pax Christi England and Wales, signed this statement from Pax Christi International in support of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty (see button below)
The Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth, has called on the government to engage with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons during an exchange in the House of Lords. (see button below)
Parish resources
Information
By David Mackenzie, a retired schoolteacher and education officer. He volunteers for Nukewatch and Scottish CND
Stephen Fry on Nuclear weapons (See video below)
School Resource
Nuclear Weapons and the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons : This workshop introduces key facts about nuclear weapons, arguments surrounding nuclear weapons, the role of the treaty and the voice of the Catholic Church.
Posters
Video
Actions + Petitions
Contact or follow-up with your bank/pension provider to ask about their investment in nuclear weapons. Explain your concern that their policy needs to be in line with changes in international law.
· Call on the government to Sign and ratify the TPNW and Commit to cancelling the replacement of Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system
Christian CND: Nuclear Ban Treaty petition
· Global Appeal to Nine Nuclear Governments petition and good background:
This is an appeal from the people of the world to nine nuclear governments to each commit to a nuclear policy of no first strike, not ever, not for any reason; and to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and to collectively agree to immediately begin disarming on a schedule to completely eliminate all nuclear weapons from the earth no later than August 6, 2045.
Events
18 February: Making decisions online is now an important part of campaigning. But how to ensure everyone contributes, that a real consensus is achieved, and that everyone understands the decision being made? Online. events@caat.org.uk https://caat.org.uk/events/
Friday 19 March: In March, CAAT will gather to share skills, deepen our knowledge, make connections and create plans. The arms trade starts here, and so does our resistance. Online. events@caat.org.uk https://caat.org.uk/events/it-starts-here/
17 March: Attitudes of non-nuclear states to nuclear weapons modernisation programmes. Online event to coincide with a report produced by Nuclear Information Service. 11am. Registration and more info www.nuclearinfo.org 0118 327 4935 or 07974 916 954
23 April: Candle-lit vigil to mark TPNW entry into force. A socially distanced candle lit walk around the lake in Lister Park Bradford. Join the walk anytime between 8:30 and 9:00pm at the Norman Arch at the bottom of Emm Lane, please stagger your arrival time so you can keep distant from others. Bradford’s own Peace Artistes Street Band will be playing as you walk up to the lake from the arch. Bring a torch or a lantern if you have one. For more information, please contact bradford@cnd.rocks
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