Holy See against return to nuclear bomb testing

Archbishop Caccia recalled that 78 years ago, the successful first test of the atomic bomb at the Trinity Site in New Mexico marked the beginning of an arms race aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

“These tests wreaked havoc, including population displacement, multi-generational health problems, food and water poisoning, and disruption to people’s spiritual connection to the Earth, our common home — the Hierarch said. He pointed out that the trials had mostly affected indigenous peoples, who had received little help — most of which targeted soldiers.

“States that rely on nuclear deterrence have a moral and legal obligation to redress […] communities and ecosystems damaged as a result of such tests – Archbishop Caccia noted, adding that the prospects for resuming atomic bomb tests are sadly real. In response to this risk, he expressed the Holy See’s support for the effective application of the provisions of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The UN General Assembly adopted this agreement on September 10, 1996. In practice, however, it never came into force. About 2,000 tests have been performed in half a century. nuclear weapons tests.

A disturbing report

In 2022, global security has deteriorated significantly compared to a decade ago. Wars have become more frequent, military spending has increased, and the problem of food security has grown.

Experts note that as geopolitical relations deteriorate, nuclear powers – the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel – are increasing the number of nuclear warheads deployed and continuing to modernize their nuclear arsenals. Last year, some of these countries deployed new weapon systems with nuclear warheads.