{"id":18948,"date":"2017-03-28T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T14:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/pope-francis-eliminating-nuclear-weapons-is-a-moral-imperative-12563\/"},"modified":"2017-03-28T14:55:00","modified_gmt":"2017-03-28T14:55:00","slug":"pope-francis-eliminating-nuclear-weapons-is-a-moral-imperative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2017\/03\/pope-francis-eliminating-nuclear-weapons-is-a-moral-imperative\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Francis: Eliminating nuclear weapons is a moral imperative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

<\/p>\n

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2017 \/ 08:55 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- On Tuesday, Pope Francis acknowledged the difficulty of totally eliminating nuclear weapons, but said the challenge is still a necessary undertaking, especially given what\u2019s at stake.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ultimate goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons becomes both a challenge and a moral and humanitarian imperative,\u201d he said in a message to United Nations members March 28.<\/p>\n

The message was read before the \u201cUnited Nations conference aimed at negotiating a legally binding instrument on the prohibition of nuclear weapons, leading to their total elimination,\u201d held in New York March 27-31.<\/p>\n

Presented by Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, Secretary for Relations with States and head of the Holy See\u2019s delegation at the meetings, the Pope\u2019s message acknowledged that the goal is a \u201cdemanding\u201d and \u201cforward-looking\u201d one.<\/p>\n

And this is true especially given the present international climate, which is both \u201ccause and indication\u201d of the difficulties of furthering and strengthening a nuclear ban, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we take into consideration the principal threats to peace and security,\u201d he continued, \u201cfor example, terrorism, asymmetrical conflicts, cybersecurity, environmental problems, poverty, not a few doubts arise regarding the inadequacy of nuclear deterrence as an effective response to such challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

These combined with the \u201ccatastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences\u201d that would follow the use of nuclear weapons make the goal a moral and ethical necessity, he said.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the resources spent on nuclear weapon development could be used for more worthy causes, such as poverty, and the promotion of peace and integral human development. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Considered to be only the first part of UN meetings to ban and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons, the talks are supported by more than 120 countries, as well as numerous disarmament groups.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, more than 40 countries have declined to participate in the talks, including the United States and most other nuclear powers, such as Britain and Russia.<\/p>\n

On Monday, U.S. Ambassador Nikki R. Haley led a group of dozens of UN members in boycotting the discussions, saying she did not think that it was the right time to have these talks given the unlikeliness of North Korea banning nuclear weapons, according to the New York Times.<\/p>\n

In his message, Pope Francis said the conference \u201cintends to negotiate a Treaty inspired by ethical and moral arguments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an exercise in hope and it is my wish that it may also constitute a decisive step along the road towards a world without nuclear weapons. Although this is a significantly complex and long-term goal, it is not beyond our reach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cInternational peace and stability cannot be based on a false sense of security, on the threat of mutual destruction or total annihilation, or on simply maintaining a balance of power.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2017 \/ 08:55 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- On Tuesday, Pope Francis acknowledged the difficulty of totally eliminating nuclear weapons, but said the challenge is still a necessary undertaking, especially given what’s at stake.<\/p>\n

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