September 8, 2022 | The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Review Conference concluded on August 26 without consensus on a final document. Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, expressed lament at the failure of international agreement upon the conclusion of the conference.

“At the beginning of the recently concluded Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, Pope Francis delivered his message to the distinguished delegates imploring them to ‘move with determination from a perspective of competition to one of cooperation,’ reminding all that ‘international peace and stability cannot be based on a false sense of security, on the threat of mutual destruction or total annihilation…’

“Article VI of the NPT commits states-parties to ‘pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament.’ We lament the failure of the states-parties after four long weeks of negotiation to reach consensus on a final document. We advocate for the acceleration and strengthening of the implementation of the NPT and call on all states-parties to recommit to dialogue and demonstrate progress toward the elimination of nuclear weapons everywhere.

“No corner of our world is untouched by growing hostilities and war. Compounded by asymmetrical warfare, cyber technologies, and the intertwined nature of our world we are one miscalculation away from catastrophe. Fundamentally it is the enmity found in the human heart that is at the root of such conflict and hostility to which the Church proclaims Christ Jesus as the remedy to humankind. We pray that all nations will work to foster trust over suspicion and to bring about immediate and measurable progress towards disarmament and lasting peace.”