UK Catholic Bishops and organisations voiced their opposition to the arms trade in a statement issued days before the UK hosted Europe’s biggest arms fair this week at London’s Docklands. The Defence and Security Equipment International 2021 arms fair (DSEI), at the Excel Centre 4-17 September, brought together governments and military delegations from across the world with more than 800 exhibitors, including 90 per cent of the world’s top 10 arms manufacturers. It was supported by the UK government. Faith groups were among those who declared a moral responsibility to oppose it.
Commenting on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop William Nolan of Galloway said: “Tragically, conflicts fuelled by the trade harm the world's poorest communities, they force people to flee their homes as refugees, and they have devastating consequences for our environment.” He added: “We urge governments across the world, including our own, to commit themselves to ending the global arms trade and instead pursue the path of peace and reconciliation.”
The statement was signed by representatives of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Bishop Declan Lang, chair of the department of international affairs, Bishop William Kenney, lead bishop for peace and disarmament issues, and Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead bishop for migrants and refugees. Pax Christi, Justice and Peace networks, Cafod and Sciaf, also joined the bishops, saying: “We stand alongside all those people of goodwill who are peacefully campaigning against the arms trade and join in prayer with the Holy Father that our leaders may commit themselves to ending it, in pursuit of peace and care for our whole human family.”
On 14 September The Times carried an article by Bishop John Arnold of Salford, lead bishop on the environment and Bishop Paul McAleenan taking up Pope Francis’ opposition to an industry which he describes as inflicting “untold suffering” and being “drenched in blood”. They said: “Challenging the sale of guns, bombs, and other weaponry is part of our Christian commitment to peace and the protection of human life.”
Around 200 campaigners held a candlelight vigil outside the Excel arms fair on Monday night. Organised by Pax Christi, Quaker Peace and Social Witness and Quaker Roots it took place on the eve of the fair’s opening. The same evening saw an online vigil organised by Anglican Pacifist Fellowship and Christian CND, which included the Sue Gilmurray anti-war song, The war machine rolls round and round.
The following morning, Pax Christi held a peace pilgrimage and Stations of the Cross from local St Anne’s RC Church at Custom House to the Excel Centre, joining a huge day of action to protest the opening of the event. Campaigners, such as a Columban group from Birmingham, headed off early morning to spend the day in the rain outside the fair. Arms dealers had to pass a remembrance ceremony for victims of war and the arms trade, organised by the Peace Pledge Union, when they arrived. Names were read out dozens of victims of war of many nationalities over the last 20 years (including Afghan civilians and British soldiers) and a wreath of white poppies laid at the entrance to the arms fair.
Protestors witnessed a Red Arrows flypast on Tuesday lunchtime as the DSEI opened.
The UK had formally invited 61 countries to send delegations to the DSEI, including six countries on its own list of human rights abusers - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt and Iraq. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said the presence of the six countries shows the UK is “not serious about arms export controls, or global peace, human rights, or good governance”.
Last Saturday also saw several thousand protestors march in Liverpool against an arms fair there, due to be held in the city’s exhibition centre next month. Two of the stops for speeches were outside the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral and Catholic Cathedral.
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