Cardinal O'Brien sends message of support to Ash Wednesday vigil at MoD

Cardinal Keith O'Brien

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh has sent a message of support to Christian peace campaigners who are planning to hold a prayer vigil and demonstration outside the Ministry of Defence on Ash Wednesday.

Cardinal O'Brien writes: "I am firm in my belief that in making this protest you are in excellent company - following on the leadership of our own Pope Benedict XVI, as well as that of Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the Holy See's representative at the United Nations.

"Like so many people of good will, I share those thoughts and words of Pope Benedict XVI when he indicated that we should be replacing Trident, not with further weapons of mass destruction, but rather 'with projects which bring life to the poor'.

"A challenge does indeed face us all in the United Kingdom at this present time - leadership is called for - and hopefully, with the tremendous efforts of people like yourself, that leadership will soon come, giving an example to all nations in the world."

For the 30th consecutive year Christians will gather at the Ministry of Defence in London to challenge the UK Governments on-going commitment to a nuclear defence policy. There are still 22,000 nuclear weapons located at 111 sites in 14 countries. The UK alone has 225 nuclear weapons and the Royal Navy boasts a proud record of
over 40 years of uninterrupted nuclear deterrence, as at least one of the four Vanguard-class submarines is on patrol at any time.

They will take part in service of prayer, silence and symbolic actions calling the Government to repent, using the words and symbols of Ash Wednesday. Some will attempt to mark the buildings with blessed ash and charcoal with words such as REPENT, CHOOSE LIFE, NO TRIDENT.

Source: Pax Christi