Churches unite against nuclear weapons
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Right Reverend Bill Hewitt (centre) with Rev John Humphreys, Synod of Scotland Moderator of the United Reformed Church; Father Chris Boles SJ, representing Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scottish Catholic Church; Leslie Stevenson of the Religious Society of Friends; and Dr William Reid, representing Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Methodist Church of Scotland.
Scottish Clergy Against Nuclear Armaments (SCANA), a new pressure group which aims to place Trident at the heart of the General Election campaign, was launched at Holyrood today.
Those taking part included representatives of the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church, Religious Society of Friends, United Free Church, United Reformed Church and Methodists.
A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “For a long time the Christian community has led the way in challenging the morality of nuclear weapons. This upcoming General Election offers an opportunity in a way that has rarely been seen before to challenge the philosophy that nuclear weapons are necessary for modern warfare.”
The Moderator of the Kirk’s General Assembly, Right Reverend Bill Hewitt said: “There is a real chance that the renewal of the Trident system, which is due very soon, could be overturned if enough political pressure is applied. Especially, at a time when voters are asking hard questions about how we best use our tax revenues for the benefit of the maximum number of citizens.”
The initiative also includes a specially produced post card for members of congregations to send to prospective candidates and MPs in the run up to the election, urging them to put nuclear weapons and Trident at the forefront of their campaign.
