COMMENT

The Rev Dr John Harvey emphasises the importance of the milestone on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which came into force in January.

SINCE 1983, the Church of Scotland, both through the formal deliverances of the General Assembly, and on its website, has described nuclear weapons as so destructive and so harmful to civilians and the natural world that they are inherently evil.

This belief is consistent with other worldwide Christian bodies, including the Roman Catholic church, which has strengthened its opposition to the possession of nuclear weapons over the years, culminating in the clear statement from Pope Francis earlier this year, while the Scottish Bishops conference has been making a public stand since 1983. When the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was under discussion at the UN, the World Council of Churches delegation led public prayers for 30 minutes each morning. Indeed, faith groups generally played a signifi cant role in the development of the treaty.

An important milestone was reached in October 2020, when the TPNW reached the required 50 state parties for its entry into force on January 22 2021, and thus became binding on the states that have ratifi ed it.

This development gives us, and we believe all Christians, great encouragement, and shows a path towards the removal of these most dangerous of weapons.

SCANA (Scottish Christians Against Nuclear Arms) is a small group of activists across the Scottish Churches. We have been involved for many years in both direct and indirect action against the use, or threatened use, of weapons of mass destruction. We are motivated by how we understand the Gospel imperative to love God and our neighbour, and by our conviction that weapons of mass destruction are theologically and morally indefensible.

Nuclear weapons are now prohibited weapons of mass destruction, like chemical and biological weapons. A nation that possesses nuclear weapons may sign up to the TPNW, so long as it agrees to destroy them within a legally binding, time-bound plan. A nation that hosts nuclear weapons may also join, provided there is a timebound agreement for removal.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent were formally warning the UN that no adequate disaster response to nuclear weapons use was possible. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) worked with UN members, faith groups and NGOs, and intergovernmental conferences revealed that the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons are more grave and complex than previously understood. For its work ICAN received the Nobel Peace prize.

”Nuclear weapons are not a necessity for human security, and their use is not compatible with the teachings of any major religion.

Nuclear weapons are not a necessity for human security, and their use is not compatible with the teachings of any major religion. From slavery to cluster bombs formal prohibition helps people to condemn what is unacceptable. For example the US no longer manufactures or uses landmines. They never signed the treaty but did respond to global condemnation of landmines. Already, some fi nancial institutions are saying NO to nuclear weapons, and churches can urge more to divest with the help of the Treaty.

Internationally, the UK is seen as the most likely of the nuclear-armed states to be brought to the table. There is the pressure arising from the distinctive Scottish public, parliamentarian and government stance which undermines any claim to a mandate for the UK’s intransigence in opposing this UN supported treaty.

Along with the other nuclear-armed states that oppose the Treaty, the UK is invited to the fi rst meeting of state parties – and could contribute its experience and knowledge of verifying weapons. The TPNW can change the world fast, especially when backed up by civil society in applying public pressure. See www.nuclearban.scot for info or email hello@nuclearban.scot Let us humbly raise our prayers in the name of the Prince of Peace.  This article was written collaboratively by members of SCANA and edited by the Rev Dr John Harvey.