Pax Christi across UK welcomes nuclear ban treaty

Pax Christi in England, Wales and Scotland have welcome the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at the UN on Saturday.

"Marian Pallister, Pax Christi Scotland chair, said: "This landmark treaty will enter into legal force now that 50 nations have signed and ratified it. It is ironic, however, that despite the Scottish Bishops' Conference having condemned the possession and use of nuclear weapons since 1983, and the Scottish Government having stated its opposition to nuclear weapons in 2017, Trident may remain on Scottish soil."

She explained, however, that the next major step to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction will be to cut off the investments that finance their manufacture.

"Divestment from nuclear weapons is a game changer," she said. "We must challenge the Scottish financial institutions and public bodies that Don't Bank on the Bomb have identified as having over £6 billion invested in companies that make nuclear weapons and their delivery systems."

She added that the proposed cost of £205bn to replace Trident - now illegally - is an obscene sum which could better eliminate poverty and sustain the health service.

Theresa Alessandro, Director of Pax Christi England and Wales said: "Pax Christi is so encouraged by the 50th ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Many Catholics in England & Wales will have connections with the countries which have ratified: Nigeria, Ireland, Vietnam, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa and many more. The commitment and moral leadership shown by the government and the citizens of these countries is exemplary. In 90 days, the Treaty will enter into force and these weapons of mass destruction will be illegal in international law.

This is an historic time in the long history of determined resistance to nuclear weapons by people of all faiths and none. Once we people of peace have taken a day or two to celebrate this big change in the signs of the times, our campaigning will continue.

Our government has not engaged with the treaty so far. Last November, Pax Christi's National President, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said: 'Here is an opportunity for the leaders of nuclear weapons-possessing countries such as the United Kingdom to demonstrate creative, moral courage. We call on our government to sign the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and be part of a future built on just international relationships and the common good of all humanity'.

"We encourage Catholic people to follow the lead of Pope Francis who has spoken out clearly on the subject of nuclear weapons: 'Even their very possession is to be condemned." In Fratelli Tutti, he says: "For a real and lasting peace will only be possible on the basis of a global ethic of solidarity and cooperation in the service of a future shaped by interdependence and shared responsibility in the whole human family."

Pax Christi offers ways to get involved in the work needed now to bring our government into the new, better future in which nuclear weapons are illegal and, we pray, finally abolished.

Find out more here: https://paxchristi.org.uk/2020/10/16/a-world-without-nuclear-weapons-is-possible-and-necessary/