The chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace commended Secretary of State John Kerry for signing the Arms Trade Treaty.
In an October 4 letter, Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, also welcomed the move to enter into substantive negotiations with Iran over their nuclear program.
“The community of nations must regulate the international transfers of arms to save lives. Dialogue with Iran is essential to forge a peaceful way forward,” wrote Bishop Pates.
He called the treaty an important step, adding, “In solidarity visits to Latin America and African nations, Church and civil society leaders have frequently shared with me stories of the unimaginable human suffering that comes from the unregulated flow of arms.”
Bishop Pates wrote to Kerry in April, urging that the United States sign the Arms Trade Treaty. www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/war-and-peace/arms-trade/upload/letter-to-john-kerry-on-arms-trade-treaty-and-iran-2013-10-04.pdf
