May 2010

WCRP Representative Urges Nuclear Abolition at 2010 Non-Proliferation Conference

During the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), held May 3-28 at UN Headquarters in New York, the World Conference of Religions for Peace joined an NGO presentation session and organized several sessions on nuclear disarmament issues.

Religions for Peace has had consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1995 and sent representatives to conferences at the UN and to offer proposals for peace based on a religious point of view. This was the third time Religions for Peace representatives attended an NPT review conference.

On May 2, Religions for Peace held an interfaith convocation at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York to pray for nuclear abolition and world peace, attended by about 100 representatives of religious organizations and members of the public.

The Rt. Rev. Laurence Yutaka Minabe, bishop of the Diocese of Yokohama of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Japan, attended as vice-chairperson of the Disarmament and Reconciliation Committee of Religions for Peace Japan. Rissho Kosei-kai was represented by Rev. Masamichi Kamiya, minister of the New York Dharma Center, who joined the other participants in prayers for peace.

On May 5, Religions for Peace held a symposium on the theme "Principles, Values and Global Security: A New Framework for the Future." Some 40 people, including specialists in disarmament and religious leaders, took part. Religions for Peace was represented by Dr. William F. Vendley, its secretary-general; Ven. Gijun Sugitani, chairperson of its International Standing Commission on Disarmament and Security; and Rev. Minabe. Also present was Dr. Gunnar Stalsett, bishop emeritus of Oslo of the Church of Norway and moderator of the European Council of Religious Leaders.

At an NGO presentation at UN Headquarters on May 7, representatives from nongovernmental and civic organizations from various countries presented their proposals for nuclear abolition in the presence of some 400 representatives of UN member nations around the world. From Japan, also present were Dr. Tadatoshi Akiba, mayor of Hiroshima, and Mr. Tomihisa Taue, mayor of Nagasaki.

On behalf of Religions for Peace, Ven. Sugitani explained that since all people on earth are interrelated, they must work together to preserve all life and the global environment. He introduced a disarmament petition from the Arms Down! Campaign for Shared Security, launched and conducted by the Global Youth Network of Religions for Peace, saying, "The faith-based partners of Religions for Peace understand that we have our own role to play in encouraging our respective faith communities to become part of a great global movement for nuclear disarmament." He concluded by calling for world leaders to abolish nuclear weapons and establish true security without arms.

[back to News Archive]