ECUMENISM
The decision of the British government on the renewal of the national nuclear arsenal is expected in March 2007. In view of this deadline, the English churches are exerting growing pressure against this renewal, which, according to the intention of Tony Blair, would involve a cost of some twenty billion euros, 28.5 billion euros. These funds would permit not only the renewal of the nuclear arsenal but also the modernization of missiles of Trident type. The Catholic bishops of England, Scotland and Wales, at the end of last year, has already pronounced more than once against the stockpiling of nuclear weapons, and launched a campaign that has also received the support of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who called such weapons “indiscriminate and horrendous”. Explaining his support for the campaign, the Primate of the Church of England affirmed that “he sees no positive aspect in the maintenance of a nuclear deterrent”. “As happened during the Cold War, we are speaking of weapons that are indiscriminate in their effects and their long-term effect on an entire physical environment would be horrendous”, said Williams. The government has dedicated the months ahead to a consultation, during which various agencies, associations and institutions are expressing their views on the question. The leaders of the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed churches have also declared their opposition to the substitution of Trident.
