Russell – Page 3 – Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Open letter on Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty

Ahead of a debate in the House of Lords on Tuesday 20 February, Christian leaders and representatives have signed the statement below calling on the UK government to sign the Treaty.

Successive UK governments have pledged their support for a world free of nuclear weapons. Today the House of Lords will discuss a United Nations Treaty that bans nuclear weapons. The Treaty is the result of multilateral negotiation and is supported by more than 120 states, more than 50 of which have already signed. Unfortunately the United Kingdom has refused to engage with the process.

Nuclear weapons continue to pose a threat to the survival of humanity. The Bible teaches us that we are stewards of the earth, with a duty to protect all life. Nuclear weapons are the antithesis of this teaching.

At a time when the threat of nuclear war continues to hang over all of us, the Treaty represents a unique opportunity for the nuclear weapon states to walk together towards a total ban.

We hope that the debate in the Lords today will be the first step towards the UK engaging with this process and joining the growing international consensus against nuclear weapons. Being the first nuclear-armed state to sign would show real moral leadership and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to work for a world without nuclear weapons.

We urge the government to reconsider its position on the Treaty.

Jill Baker, Vice President of the Methodist Conference

The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford

Rev Dr Richard Frazer, Convener, Church and Society Council, The Church of Scotland

Derek McAuley, Chief Officer, General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

Revd Loraine Mellor, President of the Methodist Conference

Paul Parker , Recording Clerk – Quakers in Britain

Revd Kevin Watson, Moderator of General Assembly of the United Reformed Church

Alan Yates, Moderator of General Assembly of the United Reformed Church

Ash Wednesday Witness

On Wednesday 14 February Christian CND joined Pax Christi and others for the annual Ash Wednesday Witness at the Ministry of Defence in London. The key message of the day was that the government must repent from the current position on nuclear weapons and engage with the United Nations Ban Treaty.

Despite the awful weather the turn out was very good and spirits were raised by coming together for this event. Ribbons were tied to the fence to represent the 122 nations who voted in favour of the Ban Treaty last year. At a time when we remember Jesus’ time in the desert and His temptations, we seek God to help us with the struggles we face.

Whatever you are giving up for Lent, please join us in praying that the UK will give up nuclear weapons and sign up to the Ban Treaty.

General Synod meeting on nuclear disarmament

Members of the Christian CND Executive attended a meeting at Church House on Saturday 10 February hosted by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford. The title of the meeting was “Can Nuclear Weapons be Banned?” and looked to build on recent progress including the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Ahead of the meeting Bishop Stephen wrote in Church Times about the need for the Church of England to engage in efforts for a nuclear weapons free world.

A full report of the meeting will appear here later, but below are a few of the photos from the occasion.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby listens to the discussion

Delegates signing the CND Citizens Ban Treaty

72nd Anniversary of UN resolution on nuclear weapons

January 24 marks the 72nd anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly passing it’s very first resolution. It was passed by consensus and established a commission of the UN Security Council to ensure ‘the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction.’

Since that time Christians around the world have been working and praying for a world free of nuclear weapons. This work continues today. We hope you will join Christian CND in praying alongside us and by becoming a member. This is a vital time for our work.

Church of England General Synod event

Can nuclear weapons be banned?

Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford invites you to a discussion.

1 pm, Saturday, 10th February Westminster Room, Church House.

The International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its role in achieving the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Most countries, most Churches, support the ban on nuclear weapons.

What can members of the Church of England do?

Sandwich lunch & drinks.

For more details contact Caroline Gilbert 07384 602947 or maasgilbert@hotmail.com