More than 120 nations at the United Nations have adopted a treaty banning nuclear weapons. This is a tremendous step toward a world free of nuclear weapons, and we join with other faith communities in this letter applauding the treaty.
Public Statement on the Adoption of The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Faith Communities Concerned about Nuclear Weapons
On July 7, 2017, more than 120 states gathered at UN Headquarters in New York adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Having repeatedly voiced our grave concerns about the humanitarian and environmental consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, we wholeheartedly welcome the adoption of this Treaty as a vital step toward the goal of a world free from nuclear weapons.
Our respective faith traditions advocate for the right of people and all living things to live in security and dignity. We believe in the commands of conscience and justice; we seek to honor our duty to protect the vulnerable and to exercise the stewardship that will safeguard the planet for future generations. Nuclear weapons are entirely incompatible with these values and commitments, and manifest a total disregard for the principles of humanity.
We recognize and applaud the courage shown by the states represented in these conferences, the invaluable efforts by the UN and other international organizations, as well as of civil society, which have resulted in the realization of this Treaty. We offer our particular respect to the hibakusha (a-bomb survivors), victims of nuclear tests and others suffering from the effects of radiation from the manufacture of nuclear weapons and environmental degradation of their homelands, whose experiences and advocacy have demonstrated that the fundamental purpose of this Treaty must be to prevent the unacceptable suffering and harm they have endured from being visited on any other individual, family or society.
It is now vital that the principles and norms of this Treaty be widely disseminated among the world’s peoples in order to achieve its universal adoption and implementation. As people of faith we accept as our special responsibility the work of raising awareness of the risks and consequences of nuclear weapons for current and future generations, awakening public conscience to build a global popular constituency in support of the Treaty in order to achieve and sustain a world free from nuclear weapons.
List of Endorsers:
Acharya Marty Janowitz, Shambhala
Dr. Akemi Bailey Haynie, Director of Women’s Programs, Soka Gakkai International-USA
American Friends Service Committee
Rev. angel Kyodo williams, newDharma Community & Center for Transformative Change
Anne Seisen Saunders, Sweetwater Zen Center, National City, CA
Anthony Donovan
Sister Ardeth Plutte, Jonah House
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, Buddhist Global Relief
Sister Carol Gilbert, Jonah House
Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Community of Living Traditions at Stony Point Center
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, US Province
Dharma Sangha-Crestone Mountain Zen Center
Doug Hostetter, Director, United Nations Office, Mennonite Central Committee
Rev. Eido Frances Carney, Soto Zen Budhism, Temple Ground Press
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Gina Sharpe
Hirotsugu Terasaki, Director General of Peace and Global Issues, Soka Gakkai International
Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke, Director, Clear View Project
Insight Meditation Community of Washington
Islamic Society of North America
Dr. Jack Kornfield, Spirit Rock Buddhist Center
Janet Fenton, Northern Freds Peace Board Quakers
Jim Winkler, General Secretary, National Council of Churches, USA
Jisho Warner, Stone Creek Zen Center
Rev. Joan Hogetsu Hoeberichts, Heart Circle Sangha
Rev. Josho Pat Phelan, Chapel Hill Zen Center
Juanne Robinson, Peace Action
Rev. Dr. t. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, President, Buddhist Council of New York
Bishop Kevin Dowling C.Ss.R., Co-President, Pax Christi International
Rev. Kenshin Catherine Cascade, Bird Haven Zendo
Kittisaro & Thanissara
Kotatsu John Bailes
Kristin Barker
Lou Leonard
Malik Mujahid, Sound Vision
Marrie Dennis, Co-President, Pax Cristi International
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Matt Regan, Secretary, International Buddist Committee of Washington DC
Mikael Lindgren, Church of Sweden
Monica Willard, United Religions Initiative
Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice
Muslim Peace Fellowship
Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti Emeritus of Bosnia, President, World Bosniak Congress
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Bishop Noriaki Ito, Higashi Honganji North America District
Olympia Zen Center’s Soto Zen Buddhist Sangha
Sr. Patricia Chappell, Executive Director, Pax Cristi USA
Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, Village Zendo, New York City
Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care
Rev. Shodo Spring, Mountains and Waters Alliance
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Justice Team
Susi Snyder, Pax
The Sussex Sangha
Rabbi Peter S. Knobel, Special advisor on Global Security, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton PhD, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Soto Zen Budhist Temple
Timmon Wallis, Quakers in Britain
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Rev. Val Szymanski
Rev. Wendy Egyoko Nakao, Zen Center of Los Angeles
World Council of Churches
Rev. Zuiko Redding, Cedar Rapids Zen Center
