November 30, 2007

The Episcopal Church was one of 30 religious, national arms control, and environmental organizations that joined together on November 29 to ask Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Representative Pete Visclosky (D-IN-1) to block funding for a new generation of nuclear weapons. Dorgan and Visclosky are the chairmen of the committees that control nuclear weapons funding.

The signing organizations highlighted the dangerous international nonproliferation consequences of developing new nuclear weapons, particularly the ability of the United States to curb other countries' nuclear weapons programs.

"We urge you to delete all funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) from the upcoming omnibus appropriations bill…We believe it is important to consider the adverse international nonproliferation consequences of proceeding with RRW," the national organizations wrote in a letter that was released November 29 by the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quaker lobby that coordinated the effort. "If the United States does not appear to be serious about nonproliferation and disarmament, its ability to limit other nations' development of nuclear weapons will erode."

The Episcopal Church has strong policy supporting the reduction of nuclear arms, beginning with a 1972 General Convention resolution, said Maureen Shea, director of Government Relations for the Episcopal Church.

"As we did in 1972, we continue to work and pray ‘for a time when we may end our dependence on the use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent to war and may use nuclear power exclusively for peaceful purposes," said Shea. "We are pleased to be a part of this broad cross-section of secular and faith-based organizations working to stop this new warhead."

A full copy of the letter and signatories is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/11-29-07_FCNL_Letter.pdf.

Episcopal News Service