In the 1980s, St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona had a large sign on display at the busy intersection in front of the church that read “It’s a sin to build a nuclear weapon.”
It reminds us of the final message of Philip Berrigan before he died in December of 2002: “I die with the conviction, held since 1968 and Catonsville, that nuclear weapons are the scourge of the earth; to mine for them, manufacture them, deploy them, use them, is a curse against God, the human family, and the earth itself.”
And now, looking ahead: On January 22, 2022, people in the U.S. and throughout the world will celebrate the day that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force. On that day, nuclear weapons will be illegal!!
We invite churches and faith communities to “ring in” the new Treaty at noon on that day, with church bells or hand bells in front of their building. Signs, flyers, etc. announcing the Treaty will be available for use.
Please contact <nuclearbantreatyEIF@gmx.com> or <nukeresister@igc.org> if you have any questions or plan to participate. We’ll include news of planned events in a press release.
Here’s a blurb that your faith community might use in a newsletter or email to explain why they are doing this.
On January 22, 20212 peace-loving people throughout the world will be celebrating the Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. On that day, nuclear weapons will be illegal! We will be ringing our church bells at noon on that day to “ring in” the new Treaty. More information about the Treaty is here: https://www.icanw.org/signature_and_ratification_status
One community member offers this sample of a letter written to request the ringing of bells by his place of worship and offers it as a template…
Dear . . .
I hope you, your family and your congregation had a happy and safe holiday season.
I’m writing on behalf of the Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace regarding the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As you may already know, the Treaty has been signed by 86 nations, ratified by 51, and enters into force as world law on January 22nd. Since the US isn’t a signatory it doesn’t technically apply to the US, but we think the US should sign it.
People across the US and around the world (including GVCP) will be celebrating the treaty with banner hangings, visits and letters to elected officials, public readings of the treaty, bell-ringings and more.
GVCP would like to ask you to have church bells rung at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, January 22nd in celebration of this treaty (which I personally feel is something Jesus would have supported).
Please let me know what you think and thanks!
