Scottish bishops urge British not to invest in new nuclear weapons

Published: 2006-04-13

LONDON (CNS) -- Scotland's Catholic bishops have urged the British government not to invest in a new nuclear missile system, and instead to spend the money saved on the alleviation of global poverty. The eight bishops said that "the use of weapons of mass destruction must be a crime against God and humanity, and it must never happen." The bishops issued the statement April 11 after a meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, where they discussed the possibility that Britain may be planning to develop a replacement for its aging Trident nuclear weapons system. The warheads are carried on four nuclear submarines that are based at Faslane Naval Base in Scotland. The bishops said they welcomed comments made by British Prime Minister Tony Blair that there should be the "fullest possible" public debate on the options. Blair also said no decision has been made on a replacement for the Trident system.

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