WCC NEWS: German Christians call for end to nuclear deterrence as an instrument of policy

Following the January 2021 entry into force of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a group of 60 German Christians including theologian Jürgen Moltmann and former World Council of Churches general secretary Konrad Raiser has demanded an end to the doctrine of nuclear deterrence.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 04 February 2021 “A confrontation such as that between the USA and North Korea demonstrates that the possession of nuclear weapons and the concept of nuclear deterrence do not necessarily lead to restraint, but may end in an escalation that plunges the world into chaos,” the group states in an appeal published on 1 February. “It is our responsibility as Christians praying for peace and trusting in the reconciling power of the gospel of God's love to oppose the spirit, logic and practice of deterrence and the dissemination of enemy images and prejudice against other states and peoples,” the group states.   Text of the appeal in English (provisional translation) Text of the appeal in German See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC interim general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland