wfn.org | NCCCUSA Genl Secy Signs Nuclear Disarmament Statement

[CAROL.FOUKE@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
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Contact:  NCC News, 212-870-2227
	    Washington National Cathedral, Wendy Starman, 202-537-6258

72NCC6/22/00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC GENERAL SECRETARY SIGNS NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT STATEMENT

June, 22, 2000, NEW YORK CITY-- The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC), is among signers of the "Joint Nuclear Reduction/Disarmament Statement" calling for a ban on nuclear weapons. 

The statement, an initiative of the Washington National Cathedral, brings together two groups that have long been in disagreement on issues of national security--military professionals and religious leaders. 

"We are striving to build a grassroots-based coalition that represents the diversity of faiths in the U.S. and the spectrum within each denomination," said organizers of the Nuclear Reduction/Disarmament Initiative.  "We are inviting a broad range of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders to set their differences aside and join together to coalesce around this important global issue."

The statement declares that "it is past time for a great national and international discussion and examination of the true and full implications of reliance on nuclear weapons, to be followed by action leading to the international prohibition of these weapons."

The grassroots effort is a three-step process that began with a news conference on Wednesday, June 21, where the document was released.  The event, held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., featured several of the signatories, who presented this joint call for nuclear reduction/disarmament.  

The second step of the initiative followed immediately -- the interfaith service to "pray for the protection of all creation from nuclear dangers."  The final step will be an educational outreach program to increase awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons.  Organizers will distribute free materials to a broad array of religious denominations to educate people about the nuclear dangers that face the world in the 21st century. 

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