Christian CND: 'Nuclear weapons, the other extinction threat'

CCND Conference members

Beautiful Brentwood Cathedral was the setting for the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament's Conference and AGM on 26 October. The title and theme was: 'Nuclear Weapons, the Other Extinction Threat'.

The theme was admirably set by our first speaker, Bishop Roger Morris, the Anglican Bishop of Colchester. He compared the variations in the direction and strength of the wind, that can change so quickly and unexpectedly, to shifts in public opinion, and how we had to be ready to take advantage of this. The second speaker, Steve Hucklesby, of the Joint Public Issues Team of the Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed Churches and Church of Scotland, showed how to approach banks and pension and investment funds to persuade them to divest from funding the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Theresa Alessandro, Director of Pax Christi, told us how Pax Christi had begun and about her own journey into working for peace.

There were three workshops repeated twice so everyone had a chance to take part in at least two. Theresa and Steve showed examples of letters to write to financial institutions to encourage divestment. Another workshop looked for ideas and ways for Christian CND to celebrate and build membership for its 60th anniversary next year, and the third included a showing of the Movement to Abolish War's film, "Conflict and Climate", with opportunity to comment and discuss the issues raised.

The final part of the programme was our AGM, when we looked at the achievements of the past year and elected the new Officers and Executive Committee. Before leaving we gathered for prayer in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Cathedral in thanksgiving for a fruitful day and our own prayers for peace.