November 17, 2010 - MA Bishops Write US Senators Kerry & Brown in Support of Nuclear Arms Treaty

Massachusetts Catholic Conference Media Release
November 15, 2010

The Roman Catholic Bishops in Massachusetts have written a joint letter to Senator John F. Kerry and Senator Scott Brown in support of ratifying by the end of the year a treaty between the United States and Russia to reduce nuclear arms.   The letter was delivered to the Senators’ Washington, D.C. offices today.  The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) was signed in April by U.S. President Obama and Russian Federation President Medvedev but must be ratified by the United States Senate before it can take effect.  Senator Kerry is on record as supporting START while Senator Brown has yet to announce his position. 

Here is the text of the letter from Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston, Bishop George W. Coleman of the Diocese of Fall River, Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell of the Diocese of Springfield, and Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester:

Dear Senator Kerry & Senator Brown:

As the four Roman Catholic Ordinaries in Massachusetts, we write in support of Senate ratification this year of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the United States and the Russian Federation.  START was signed on April 8, 2010 and recently approved by a bipartisan vote of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 

The Roman Catholic Church worldwide has long been concerned about the threat of nuclear weapons and our support for their elimination is based on our deep commitment to preserving human life and dignity.  The Holy See and the United States Bishops continue to promote the twin and interrelated goals of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.  We are not technical experts, but as teachers and pastors we offer our moral direction and encouragement with the hope that, with your backing, the treaty will be ratified by the Senate.  We truly believe that this step is critical to making our world safer. 

If you have any specific questions, please contact the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of International Justice and Peace which is monitoring the ratification process:  (Director) Steve Colecchi; (p) 202-541-3196; (f) 202-541-3339; (email) [email protected].

Thank you in advance for your attention to our concerns.

CONTACT:  Gerald D. D’Avolio, Executive Director, Massachusetts Catholic Conference, 617-367-6060

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