JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007

January 1st, 2007

Editorial, continued fighting around the world, programme for 2007, commission contacts.

Editorial Pope Benedict’s theme for World Peace Sunday was: “The Human Person: the Heart of Peace.” In his message, the Pope said “I am convinced that respect for the person promotes peace, and that, in building peace, the foundations are laid for an authentic integral humanism… Peace is based on respect for the rights of all…. Humanity, if it truly desires peace, must be increasingly conscious of the links between respect for nature and human ecology…. there is an inseparable link between peace with creation and peace among men… Unfortunately this has not been consistently implemented, for example, in southern Lebanon where the duty to protect and help innocent victims and to avoid involving the civilian population was largely ignored…Another disturbing issue is the desire by some states to acquire nuclear weapons. The way to ensure a future of peace for everyone is not only in international accords for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, but also in the determined commitment to seek their reduction and definitive dismantling.” [The Tablet 30 December]

2007 begins with fighting continuing in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and, as ever, in Israel/Palestine; the loss of life and destruction continues unabated. However, some hopeful signs include, Hilary Benn’s stating that cluster munitions should be banned because “they act as anti-personnel landmines”, and an overwhelming UN vote in the general assembly first committee in favour of an arms trade treaty to control the growing international trade in conventional weapons, was supported by Britain. It may not come to a vote in the General Assembly until 2009, but it is a beginning. The question of a replacement for Trident is still to be decided. It is good that our bishops have joined the Scottish Catholic bishops in coming out against replacement. The head of MI5 believes that the real threat to our security is from al-Qaida. A Trident submarine will do nothing about that.

It is something of a sick joke that BAE are promoting the idea of ethical “green” weapons. There is nothing wrong with trying to minimise the negative impacts of our behaviour – we all have a responsibility to do that. But if something exists to cause death and destruction, the fact that it has been painted a friendly shade of green doesn’t make it ethical. Then there is the matter of the bribes paid by BAE to Saudi Arabia to secure a huge arms deal to supply even more weaponry to the most unstable region in the world. The attorney general halted the enquiry into the bribes “for reasons of national security” in the case of Saudi Arabia, but investigations are to continue into BAE activities in Romania, Chile, the Czech Republic, South Africa and Tanzania. The New Year gives me an opportunity to thank all those who help to pay towards the cost of production of the newsletter and those who distribute each issue in their parishes. A special word of thanks is due to the Rector of Whitby and the Church Office staff for their support in the printing of the newsletter. And finally, thank you to John Blatchford for all his work to put the newsletter on the website. He is in the process of making it even better! Chris Dove

A New Year is traditionally a time for reflecting on the past year and making resolutions to meet the challenges ahead. Anniversaries are also a good time to build on what has gone before with a renewed vision. A highlight from 2006 was our November meeting facilitated by students at St. Augustine’s school in Scarborough. Their insightful and knowledgeable presentations impressed us all and were a source of future hope. 2007 is a special anniversary year – 200 years since the abolition of slavery with many events based in the Hull area – the home of William Wilberforce. A true opportunity to rejoice in the achievements of Wilberforce and his associates and to consider our responses to modern forms of slavery. More information about events nationwide can be obtained from www.setallfree.net This year also sees the 10th anniversary of the Covenant with the Poor – a document signed by Bishop John on behalf of the diocese at Whitsun 1997. We will focus on the Covenant during our AGM in May. Our January meeting again has peace as its theme. The morning will focus on a programme developed by Pace e Bene Franciscan Nonviolence Service entitled ‘From Violence to Wholeness’ which offers participants the vision of a constructive alternative to violence in our world and practical tools for translating this vision into reality. In March we are building on the closer relationship established with CAFOD in our Diocese by organising a joint meeting in York based on the ‘Live Simply’ initiative but also to include a focus on migrant workers living in our area. Later in the year Fr. Pat Cope will facilitate our September meeting concerning our prison system and in November we will again have a Youth Forum – based in Middlesbrough. Our overriding aim is to raise awareness of justice and peace issues and to work closely with other organisations so that together we may be a focus for change. Barbara Hungin

“We thought it was a ball” Before the conflict in Lebanon ended, the south of Lebanon was hit by Israeli cluster bombs which left hundreds of unexploded bomblets. These are black canisters barely larger than a torch battery. In the village of Aitta Shaab, close to the Israeli border, three children aged 10 to 12 were playing, one saw a curious object, picked it up and the resultant blast seriously injured all three. “We thought it was just a little ball” said Hassan in Tyre Hospital. 97% of all casualties since the ceasefire have been caused by cluster munitions. “We already had a major landmine problem from previous Israeli invasions, but this is far worse” said Chris Clark of the UN mine action coordination centre in Tyre. UN and human rights officials claim Israel violated provisions that forbid their use in urban areas. Bomblets have been found in orange plantations, on streets, in cars and near hospitals. Approximately 60% of Israeli cluster strikes hit built up areas. Landmine Action calls for a general prohibition on the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions. Source: Landmine Action and Guardian Weekly. October 13-19

Quotes: “Reports of Israeli army using cluster munitions is an obvious propaganda of Hezbollah and other organisations who do not know what is actually going on.” Arkady Milman, Ambassador of Israel to the Russian Federation, 26 July 2006

“In the last 72 hours we fired all the munitions we had, all at the same spot, we didn’t even alter the direction of the gun. Friends of mine in the battalion told me they also fired everything in the last three days –ordinary shells, clusters, whatever they had.” Anonymous Israeli reservist, quoted in Haaretz daily newspaper 8 Sept 2006 “What we did was insane and monstrous, we covered entire towns in cluster bombs.” Head of IDF rocket unit posted in Lebanon during the war, quoted in Haaretz daily newspaper 12 Sept 2006

Product recall Every year hundreds of faulty products are recalled in the UK because of the risk they present to the public. It is time to do the same with our faulty weapons. Cluster munitions have killed and injured thousands of people because they don’t work as they are supposed to. Cluster munitions are indiscriminate, and are so faulty that they can leave thousands of lethal bomblets littering the areas where they are used. If it were British children that we were putting at risk, this product would have been recalled years ago. To find out how you can help visit: www.spreadingourvalues.com Source: Landmine Action

Arms sales hit record level Worldwide spending on weapons is expected to have reached record levels in 2006 at a time when the arms trade is increasingly able to avoid export controls, according to human rights and aid agencies. Military spending is expected to have reached $1,058bn in 2006, a figure higher than the cold war record from 1987-88 of $1,034bn in today’s prices. In 2005 the US, Russia, Britain, France and Germany accounted for 82% of all arms transfers. Other countries are emerging as major exporters: Brazil, India, Israel, Singapore, South Africa and Korea. Human rights groups say a proposed new UN arms trade treaty should impose export controls on components of weapons systems as well as complete weapons. Controls should also cover foreign licensing agreements. Source: Guardian Weekly. October 13-19

Joined up government? The British government is exporting record levels of military equipment to 19 of the 20 states its own ministers and officials have identified as “major countries of concern” for human rights abuses. The 20 countries were listed in the Foreign Office’s annual Human Rights Report, released at the end of October 2006. They include China, North Korea, Iran and Zimbabwe. Source: Guardian Weekly Oct 27-Nov 2

NB. The Government’s Defence Export Service Organisation (DESO) promotes the sale of arms: another example of so-called joined up government. Funded by UK taxpayers to the tune of £15million per year it employs 500 civil servants and the head of DESO is always an arms industry executive. It is encouraging to note that three Catholic bishops, Terence Brain of Salford, Thomas McMahon of Brentwood, and Patrick O’Donoghue of Lancaster have signed an ecumenical statement calling for the closure of DESO. Source: The Tablet 21 October

Replacement for Trident We are promised a debate on this topic, but what will this mean? Will there be a free vote? In his Easter Sunday 2006 homily Cardinal Kevin O’Brien said, “To replace the Trident nuclear system is estimated to cost £20-25bn. As long ago as 1968 under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, our government undertook ‘to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control.’ Let us now, nearly 40 years on from making this undertaking, finally prove that we take our obligation seriously. If not, by replacing Trident with an even more destructive weapons system, we would show our utter contempt for this Treaty and we would be in clear breach of it. We would lose any moral authority we currently have to tell other nations they may not possess weapons of mass destruction. Our moral authority on this matter would be zero.” His view has the support of all the Scottish bishops. Source: Vocation for Justice Summer 2006

Eight Anglican bishops and 20 suffragan bishops wrote to the Independent, adding their voices to the debate. “Whatever our various views on conventional warfare, we all agree the Just War arguments rule out the use of nuclear weapons and such weapons challenge the very core of Judaeo-Christian Faith where humanity is given responsibility for the stewardship of God’s creation. Nuclear weapons are a direct denial of the Christian concept of peace and reconciliation, which are social and economic as well as physical and spiritual.” Source: The Independent 10 July 2006

“By diverting resources from conventional forces, nuclear weapons have made Britain’s military position more precarious. An army short of helicopters and troops in Afghanistan does not stand to gain from an unfunded $46bn commitment to a future strategic nuclear delivery system, or from the $1.8bn spent each year to keep Trident running. In the end the choice is between some form of renewal or a controlled step into a non-nuclear future, the brave right thing to do. Pulling back from the ownership of weapons that carry with them the possibility of ending humanity would be a glorious act, bringing a new moral imperative to international affairs.” Source: Editorial Guardian Weekly July 14-20

Trident is immoral, illegal and ineffective for our age. Nuclear weapons have not and will not bring us security, rather the opposite: they are likely to cause animosity and resentment. We urge our government • to take a lead by not replacing Trident. • to call for abolition negotiations in the UN • to commit to invest resources, skills and ingenuity in models of security that meet human needs and create just relationships. Source: Pax Christi June 2006

In November The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales called on the government to set an example by decommissioning nuclear weapons. They wrote: “The very existence of nuclear weapons has always posed grave moral questions. Their uniquely destructive power means that they belong in a different category from any other weapons…. Our judgement is that, by decommissioning its nuclear weapons, the UK now has a unique opportunity to offer the international community an approach to security and legitimate self-defence without the unconscionable threat of nuclear destruction. At the same time it could give a new impetus to the wider process towards total nuclear disarmament.”

Ethical Shopping BAE SYSTEMS, one of the world’s biggest arms manufacturers, is designing a new generation of “green” munitions, including “lead-free” bullets and rockets with reduced toxins because, the company’s website states: these “can harm the environment and pose a risk to people”. The initiative is being backed by the Ministry of Defence, which has proposed quieter warheads to reduce noise pollution and grenades that produce less smoke. There have even been experiments to see if explosives can be turned into manure! Source: The Times on line edition

PROGRAMME FOR 2007 Date Place Theme 19 January York Peace 10 March York CAFOD 19 May Malton AGM Covenant 14 July Wolds Walk 15 September M’bro Prisons 17 November M’bro Youth

Commission contacts Barbara Hungin Chair 01642 784398 Sr Mary Walmsley CJ Secretary 01904 464919 Nan Saeki Treasurer 01904 783621 Chris Dove Editor 01947 825043 email: dove.whitby@phonecoop.coop or 22 Blackburns Yard Whitby YO22 4DS website:www.ayton.info/middlesbroughjp

The Gift of Peace When Jesus ascended to heaven he left us the gift of peace. Where is it now? It’s not in my anxious mind, not in my angry heart. It’s not in Lebanon, the Congo, Gaza, Darfur, not in Las Vegas, or Hollywood, or the backstreets of our cities. We won’t find peace by walking away, burying our heads, blocking our ears, but only by seeking justice, doing justice, and yes, fighting for justice. Maybe then, somehow, somewhere, Christ’s peace will come again, come flowing like a river. A.M.D.