US bishops’ conference welcomes Iran nuclear deal
July 15, 2015
Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, has welcomed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—the nuclear agreement between Iran and the “P5+1” powers.
“This significant achievement aims to curb Iran’s development of nuclear weapons while allowing them to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he said in a July 14 letter to members of Congress. “More importantly, this agreement signals progress in global nuclear non-proliferation.”
He added:
It is no small achievement that the United States, the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation, China, Germany and France have reached this agreement with Iran. We hope that the full implementation of the agreement will gradually foster an environment in which all parties build mutual confidence and trust, so that progress will be made toward greater stability and dialogue in the region. In that spirit, our Committee will continue to urge Congress to endorse the result of these intense negotiations because the alternative leads toward armed conflict, an outcome of profound concern to the Church.
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Further information:
- Bishop Cantú Welcomes Iran Nuclear Deal, Urges Congress To Endorse Result Of Negotiations (USCCB)
- Full text of letter (USCCB)
- Vatican welcomes Iran nuclear agreement (CWN, 7/14)
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Posted by: Thomas429 -
Jul. 16, 2015 1:09 AM ET USA
Have the good bishops read it? I understand that most of the details have not been made public. Too many people I trust have said it is a bad deal. The Iranians are happy. It is that last part that really gives me pause. They should at least have been less ebullient.
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Posted by: unum -
Jul. 15, 2015 10:36 PM ET USA
Bishop Cantú stated,“More importantly, this agreement signals progress in global nuclear non-proliferation.” He should clarify his statement. Saudi Arabia, and a number of other predominately Sunni Muslim countries have signed preliminary agreements for new weapons, including nuclear weapons, since news surfaced about the Obama treaty with Iran. So, it is not clear what the Bishop means by "progress in global nuclear proliferation".
