WASHINGTON—Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued the following statement on the New START Treaty.

Bishop Malloy’s full statement follows:

“As the nation looks to the transition of power and a new president, we must not lose sight of the fact that New START, the last treaty limiting the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, is slated to expire on February 5.

“Extending the New START is essential to maintaining limits on the most dangerous nuclear weapons and is an existing means for needed progress toward nuclear disarmament, as mandated by Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“On the 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2020, Archbishop José Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminded us of the ongoing nuclear threat.[1] Months earlier, the Conference’s Committee on International Justice and Peace reaffirmed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), especially its call for nuclear powers to “work in good faith for the end of the nuclear arms race by seeking nuclear disarmament…‘under strict and effective international control.’” [2]

“January 22 also marks the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entering into force. The Holy See’s ratification of this treaty is a powerful reminder of the Catholic Church’s commitment to eliminate the nuclear threat.

“I renew our call to extend the New START Treaty, for a full five years, and urge President-elect Biden to make negotiations for nuclear disarmament a top priority.”
 

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Media Contacts:
Chieko Noguchi or Miguel Guilarte
202- 541-3200

 

 


[1] U.S. Bishops’ President Reflects on the 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki | USCCB

[2] Statement from U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace Committee on Nuclear Disarmament | USCCB