US bishops urge support for international arms treaty

15 April, 2013 - An official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has urged the administration of US president Barack Obama to expedite matters to review and sign a treaty to cut back arms trade in the world. “As a world leader and a major arms exporter, our nation should set a positive example for other nations to follow in efforts to reduce the flow of weapons into situations that violate human rights and cause terrible suffering,” Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines wrote in an April 11 letter to Secretary of State John Kerry. In an April 2 vote at the United Nations, the U.S. joined a large majority of countries worldwide in agreeing to adopt a treaty that would regulate international trade in conventional weaponry. But when the treaty opens for signature, June 3, President Obama will still need to sign it and it remains unclear if U.S. will ratify it – a move which would need two-thirds of the senate's approval. Bishop Pates, who serves as chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace for the U.S. bishops' conference, urged Secretary Kerry “to expedite a thorough review of the Treaty so that the President can sign it in early June.” The bishop noted that the treaty, though not perfect, would still be “a positive step in promoting human rights and dignity and in building a more peaceful world.” He emphasized that the “Catholic Church has a longstanding commitment to protecting human life and dignity,” pointing to church teachings to explain how reducing the presence of firearms within the population is “a means to this end.” (Source: CNA/EWTN)