杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

The 鈥渃ourageous vision鈥� of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons 鈥渁ppears ever more timely,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says in a for the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

The Treaty, which aims at achieving and maintaining a nuclear-weapons-free world, went into effect in January 2021. To date, 65 states have ratified or acceded to the Treaty, although no nuclear-armed countries have done so.

In his message, which was read by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican鈥檚 Secretary for Relations with States, 杏MAP导航 Francis says that, while speaking of disarmament 鈥渕ay seem paradoxical to many 鈥� we need to remain aware of the dangers of short-sighted approaches to national and international security and the risks of proliferation.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航, therefore, renews his appeal 鈥渢o silence all weapons and eliminate the causes of conflicts through tireless recourse to negotiations.鈥� He points out that peace and security, in order to be just and lasting, must be universal; and that we must all be responsible 鈥� collectively and individually 鈥� for 鈥渢he well-being of our brothers and sisters.鈥�

A world free from nuclear weapons

杏MAP导航 Francis says, 鈥淭he Holy See has no doubts that a world free from nuclear weapons is both necessary and possible,鈥� while denouncing schemes that give a false sense of security based on possession of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

In particular, he expresses doubts about the adequacy of nuclear deterrence in response to modern challenges, while warning of the dangers of accidents involving nuclear arms.

The use and possession of nuclear arms are immoral

Once again, 杏MAP导航 Francis affirms that 鈥渢he use of nuclear weapons, as well as their mere possession, is immoral.鈥� Defending the idea of mutual deterrence, he says, 鈥渋nevitably ends up poisoning relationships between peoples and obstructing any possible form of real dialogue.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 warns, too, of the dangers of nuclear weapons being used as a form of 鈥渂lackmail that should be repugnant to all consciences of humanity.鈥�

Reaching people鈥檚 souls

In this regard, 杏MAP导航 Francis insists that the process of disarmament must be 鈥渢horough-going and complete, and reach men鈥檚 very souls.鈥�

Therefore, he says, 鈥渋t is important to recognize a global and pressing need for responsibility,鈥� both public and personal, involving an examination of conscience as to how individuals and nations can justify the use or possession of nuclear arms.

A moral commitment

杏MAP导航 Francis concludes his message by noting that disarmament treaties, including the TPNW, 鈥渁re more than just legal obligations. They are also moral commitments based on trust among States and among their representatives, rooted in the trust that citizens place in their governments, with the ethical consequences for current and future generations of humanity.鈥�

He insists that adherence to and respect for international disarmament agreements is a source of strength, not weakness, while encouraging his listeners 鈥渢o continue along your chosen path of promoting a culture of life and peace based upon the dignity of the human person and the awareness that we are all brothers and sisters.鈥�

Finally, he assures them that, 鈥渇or its part, the Catholic Church remains irrevocably committed to promoting peace between peoples and nations and fostering education for peace throughout its institutions.鈥�