A senior Catholic leader in Asia has warned powerful nations not to ask others to show restraint while continuing to maintain huge nuclear arsenals. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said such actions weaken global efforts for peace.
Speaking about rising international tensions, the cardinal said it is wrong for powerful countries to preach disarmament while keeping the ability to destroy the world. “That is not disarmament. That is intimidation,” he said. The Church leader heads the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan in the Philippines.
His comments come as conflicts in the Middle East continue to raise global concerns. Reports say that fighting involving Iran and attacks by the United States and Israel have caused heavy damage and civilian deaths. Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 civilians have died and thousands of civilian sites have been bombed.
The cardinal warned that the international system becomes weaker when powerful nations ignore the rules they expect others to follow. He pointed to agreements such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which was created to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and encourage gradual disarmament.
Despite such agreements, thousands of nuclear warheads still exist in the world. Experts say more than 9,600 nuclear weapons remain in active military stockpiles. Major nuclear powers include the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.
Church leaders continue to urge global powers to work seriously toward peace and nuclear disarmament.
