The Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has welcomed the imminent Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as a step towards a nuclear weapons-free world.
The Treaty, which will ban nuclear weapons under international law in the same way as chemical and biological weapons have previously been banned, will enter into law on Friday 22 January. So far 51 states have joined the Treaty, including New Zealand, Austria and Ireland with a further 36 having signed.
The TPNW was agreed by the United Nations in 2017 with the support of 122 states. So far the United Kingdom and the other nuclear-armed states have refused to engage with any of the discussions around the Treaty and on Wednesday 20 January [reference to Bp Cov question and answer].
Despite the UK government refusing to engage with the Treaty there is a strong movement among Christians in the UK opposing nuclear weapons. Recent statements from the Catholic Bishops, Anglican Bishops, Church of Scotland, Quakers, Community of Christ, Baptist Union and Methodist Church all show support for the Treaty.
Rebecca Dillon, Co- Chair of Christian CND, said: “The Entry into Force of this new Treaty is a moment for great celebration for all who have a vision for a future without nuclear weapons. We hope the breadth of international support for the Treaty will be an inspiration for Christians in the UK to join civil society in calling on the UK to join the Treaty. Our prayer is that this Treaty will make a significant contribution towards a safer world.”
* Source: Christian CND
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