New York: Bishop Kenney urges Churches to help stop spread of small arms
Bishop William Kenney, CP Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, and International Chairman of the Gothenburg Process, has given a lecture in New York calling for Churches of different denominations to work together against the spread of small arms and light weapons, writes Peter Jennings.
During the ecumenical lecture, Bishop Kenney, who is also Spokesman on European Affairs for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, emphasised the contact that the various Churches had with the producers, the control authorities and the users of small arms and light weapons.
Bishop Kenny, a member of the Passionist Congregation, said that he had been "encouraged by the increasing dialogue" between all of these bodies.
He explained: "The lecture took place in the context of the United Nations Review Conference on small arms and light weapons. The last review conference held two years ago collapsed and ended in acrimony. This conference produced tangible results."
"If these resolutions are implemented then there will be better control of small arms and light weapons throughout the world."
Bishop Kenney said most ordinary people would be horrified if they knew the enormous amounts of resources that were used for the production and distribution of these weapons.
He said: "It is important that the Churches continue to maintain the dialogue with all involved with this industry so that we can attempt to eliminate the deaths of many, many thousands of innocent people each year."
Bishop William Kenney, was confirmed as International Chairman of the Gothenburg Process in October 2007.