World Council of Churches

A worldwide fellowship of churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service


Documents related to nuclear arms control

Title Description document_owner document_type EffectiveDate
Statement on Pyongyang meeting outcomes The WCC welcomes the historic meetings on 5-6 March 2018 between a South Korean special envoy delegation and the North Korean leadership in Pyongyang – the first high-level direct talks between the two Koreas in more than a decade. General Secretary Statement: public statement 07 March 2018
Cultivating Peace, Proclaiming Hope Participants of the “International Conference in Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the 88 Declaration” organized by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) issued a communique that welcomes the new steps toward dialogue as an historic opportunity. Other ecumenical bodies Statement: public statement 07 March 2018
WCC general secretary sermon in Trefoldighetskirken, Oslo, 09/12/2017 Sermon by Rev. Dr Olav Fyke Tveit at the ecumenical peace worship, that took place at the Trinity Church in Oslo, Norway. The celebration was organised by the Church of Norway together with representatives of ICAN in connection with the award ceremony of the Nobel Peace Prize. General Secretary Sermon 09 December 2017
Public Statement in Support of the Multilateral Negotiation of a Nuclear Weapons Ban in 2017 Submitted to the 2016 UN General Assembly First Committee by Faith Communities Concerned about the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons Commission on International Affairs Statement: public statement 12 October 2016
Assurance of prayers during President Obama's visit to Hiroshima On the occasion of US President Barack Obama’s visit to the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 28 May 2016, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit sent greetings, noting that this is a time when signs of peace and justice are sorely needed. General Secretary Pastoral letter 26 May 2016
Peacemakers for Life Sermon for Joint Anglican-Catholic Peace Memorial Service by Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee and head of WCC delegation of Church Leaders Pilgrimage to Japan on the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings. Central Committee Sermon 05 August 2015
What is required of us Speech by Rev. Dr Sang Chang, WCC Asia President, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, at the Nuclear Disarmament Symposium Hiroshima, 6 August 2015. WCC Presidents Lecture - Speech 31 July 2015
Faith Communities on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons Interfaith statement at the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons delivered by Kimiaki Kawai (SGI) WCC Programmes Statement: public statement 09 December 2014
Statement towards a Nuclear-free World Statement towards a nuclear free world, adopted as part of the Report of the Public Issues Committee by the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Central Committee Statement: public statement 07 July 2014
Comment on Iran nuclear agreement WCC general secretary's public comment on Iran nuclear agreement General Secretary Statement: public statement 27 November 2013
Statement on the Way of Just Peace The Statement on the Way of Just Peace was adopted by the WCC 10th Assembly as part of the Report of the Public Issues Committee. Assembly Statement: public statement 08 November 2013
OPCW Nobel Peace Prize Congratulations to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 2013, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons General Secretary Statement: public statement 14 October 2013
68th anniversary of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Public comment by the WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit General Secretary Statement: public statement 05 August 2013
NATO summit: Nuclear weapons in Europe Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit urges the NATO to “lead by example” and withdraw nuclear weapons still deployed in Europe. General Secretary Statement: public statement 15 May 2012
Statement against cluster bombs and nuclear weapons The World Council of Churches welcomes two decisions just taken here in Geneva to protect human lives from lethal and indiscriminate weapons. Both decisions are heartening examples of a world majority of mostly small countries taking leadership for the common good when powerful states have failed to do so. Both address threats that churches have long decried. General Secretary S 29 November 2011
We cannot live with such dangers World Council of Churches' general secretary statement on the 66th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 6 and 9 August 1945. General Secretary S 06 August 2011
Follow-up on the adoption of NATO's Strategic Concept Following up on their earlier calls for nuclear disarmament, four global, regional and national ecumenical organizations told leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union and Russia that NATO and its member states should seize the opportunity of the Defence and Deterrence Review in 2011 to take bold steps and end the anachronistic policy of nuclear sharing including the deployment of United States tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) S 16 March 2011
Ratification of new START treaty Statement on the ratification by the US Senate of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia General Secretary Statement: public statement 23 December 2010
Prayers for Peace and Justice on Hiroshima Day Liturgy for the Midday Prayers for Peace and Justice on Hiroshima Day, Feast of the Transfiguration, 6 August 2010, at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. WCC Programmes Liturgical text 06 August 2010
65th anniversary of 1st atomic bombings Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit on the anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki General Secretary Statement: public statement 05 August 2010
US-Russia nuclear arms reduction treaty The Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit's comment on the signing of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by Presidents Medvedev and Obama in Prague, 8 April 2010. General Secretary Statement: public statement 08 April 2010
Consultation on the "Peace of the World Free of Nuclear Weapons" Speech given by Samuel Kobia at the Consultation on the "Peace of the World Free of Nuclear Weapons", organized by the Asia Pacific Graduate School, Korea; the National YMCA of Korea; and the DMZ Society, Hwacheon, Korea. General Secretary Lecture - Speech 04 December 2009
To heads of states/governments involved in the Six Party Talks Open letter to heads of states and governments involved in the Six-Party Talks related to issues on the Korean peninsula. General Secretary Statement: letter 12 November 2009
Letter to NATO, EU, USA and Russia on nuclear disarmament "Now is the time to continue the trend" toward nuclear disarmament, four global, regional and national ecumenical organizations told leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union and Russia. "The present opportunity must be transformed into conclusive actions." Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) S 28 October 2009
Letter to the US President Barack Obama Letter to the US President Barack Obama at the occasion of his nonimation for the peace Nobel prize General Secretary P 10 October 2009
Statement of hope in a year of opportunity: seeking a nuclear-weapon-free world Central Committee S 01 September 2009
On the Russia-US nuclear agreement Public statement on the Russia-United States nuclear agreement General Secretary S 07 July 2009
Comment on North Korea nuclear test The World Council of Churches is deeply troubled by North Korea's nuclear test and profoundly concerned for the people of North Korea and surrounding countries, none of whose interests are served by this tragic failure of international relations. General Secretary S 25 May 2009
Letter to NATO member states General Secretary P 30 March 2009
Letter to WCC member churches in Korea General Secretary S 01 July 2008
Letter to the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak General Secretary S 01 July 2008
UNAW 2007 Report For the United Nations Advocacy Week 2007, the WCC chose to emphasize four themes, a primary focus on the Greater Horn of Africa; water, nuclear disarmament and the Middle East, with an emphasis on Palestine and Israel. Commission on International Affairs Report 01 January 2008
C. F. von Weizsäcker Tribute to Prof. Dr Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker, who gave decisive impetus to the Conciliar Process for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. General Secretary Tribute 07 May 2007
Letter to member churches of the WCC in the UK General Secretary P 09 March 2007
Statement on the need for churches' vigilance against nuclear proliferation Executive committee S 01 March 2007
On the Agreement Reached at The Six Party Talks The World Council of Churches, since the early 1980s, has monitored developments relating to peace and security in North East Asia. Of particular concern to the Council was the division of Korea and the consequential tension and the potential threat of conflict in the peninsula. General Secretary S 15 February 2007
"Week of Impunity" in the Middle East WCC calls international attention to situation in the Middle East Commission on International Affairs Statement: public statement 14 December 2006
North Korean government's test of a nuclear device Letter to the WCC member churches, regional ecumenical organizations, national councils of churches and CCIA Commission Commission on International Affairs Statement: letter 27 November 2006
North Korea nuclear testing General Secretary S 09 October 2006
North Korean government's test of a nuclear device General Secretary S 09 October 2006
Expression of concern on military tensions in the Korean peninsula General Secretary S 07 July 2006
Presentation of the WMDC's Final Report General Secretary S 15 June 2006
Statement on Iran and nuclear non-proliferation Executive committee S 19 May 2006
Iran and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Executive committee R 19 May 2006
6. Minute on elimination of nuclear arms The following report was presented to and received by the Assembly. Its resolutions were proposed by the Public Issues Committee and approved by the Assembly through consensus. Dissent expressed by Assembly delegates is recorded as endnotes. Assembly Statement: minute 23 February 2006
Introduction Assembly P 23 February 2006
Initiative for a resolution to move forward on nuclear disarmament Letter to Ambassador Rosemary Banks, Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations Commission on International Affairs Statement: letter 08 February 2006
Award of 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Commission on International Affairs S 07 October 2005
United Nations World Summit General Secretary S 07 September 2005
Message on the 60th Anniversary of the Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) M 03 August 2005
The WCC concern for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation Presentation by Peter Weiderud, Director, CCIA, at the Advocacy Days of the churches in the United States, Washington D.C. Commission on International Affairs Lecture - Speech 12 March 2005
Statement on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Executive committee S 20 February 2004
Minute on India-Pakistan Composite Dialogue Executive committee S 20 February 2004
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Executive committee A 20 February 2004
Expression of concern on tensions in the Korean peninsula Commission on International Affairs S 15 January 2004
Statement on Iraq Central Committee A 02 September 2003
Statement Against Military Action in Iraq Executive committee S 21 February 2003
Message from Church Leaders United Against the War in Iraq Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) M 05 February 2003
Appeal on the occasion of the NATO Summit in Prague Letter from the CCIA director Peter Weiderud to foreign ministers of the non-nuclear member states of NATO Commission on International Affairs Statement: letter 14 November 2002
Appeal to the Governments of India and Pakistan for normalization of relations with Pakistan Commission on International Affairs S 07 October 2002
Appeal to Iraq to respect the resolutions of the UN Security Council Commission on International Affairs S 19 September 2002
Statement on South Asia Central Committee R 03 September 2002
Minute on the renegotiation of the Compacts of Free Association between the U.S.A. and the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Adopted by the Central Committee, Geneva, 26 August - 3 September 2002. Central Committee Statement: minute 26 August 2002
Report of the XLV meeting of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs Commission on International Affairs R 03 June 2002
India/Pakistan Dispute - Expression of hope for the success of India-Pakistan summit General Secretary S 11 July 2001
Statement on nuclear disarmament, NATO policy and the churches Document No. PI 5 Central Committee Statement: public statement 06 February 2001
Statement on nuclear disarmament, NATO policy and the churches Executive committee S 26 January 2001
Call for the dismantling of nuclear weapons Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) S 23 April 1999
An eye-witness account of Hiroshima (Suggested as a possible reading at prayers for peace on Hiroshima Day) Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) Message 05 August 1983
Peace Vigil Meditation by Dr Philip Potter A night-long vigil for peace on 5 August 1983 at the WCC 6th Assembly in Vancouver commemorated the atomic bombing of Hiroshima 38 years earlier. Meditation by the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Philip Potter General Secretary 05 August 1983