Trainee priests and ministers risk arrest at Faslane
A group of 28 Anglican and Roman Catholic ordinands, Methodist ministerial candidates and staff from four theological colleges will hold a service of prayer and witness against Britain’s Trident weapons nuclear programme outside the Faslane military base in Scotland on Sunday 10 June (10am-4pm).
This will be followed by a blockade of the North Gate and possible arrest of those participating.
“Our faith demands that we condemn the planned renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons programme”, said Professor John Hull, spokesperson for the group.
“Not simply because these weapons are immoral, illegal, a dreadful waste of money and cannot be justified politically in today’s post-Cold War era. But because their use would cause destruction on such as scale that the very ability of creation to create would be destroyed. And that is an offence against God that cannot go un-challenged.”
During the service the group will make the following joint declaration:
“As children of God, committed to peace, justice and the building of God’s kingdom on earth today, we declare our lifelong commitment against nuclear weapons and the manufacture, retention or use of any weapons of mass destruction by the British government.
“We affirm our ministry within God’s Church and world, and we commit ourselves, and one another, as disciples of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to be faithful in our opposition to nuclear weapons, and to nurture, encourage, support and love all God’s people regardless of faith, nationality or geography. For there is only one God, who created one world, to be loved and cherished by all people.”
Special services of prayer in support of those witnessing at Faslane will be held simultaneously at The Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham and the Durham colleges: Cranmer Hall (Anglican), Ushaw College (Roman Catholic) and the Wesley Study Centre (Methodist).
