Catholic bishops end their N-summit

Press, 21 January 1983, Page 6

Catholic bishops end their N-summit

NZPA-Reuter Vatican CityCatholic bishops from the United States and Europe yesterday wound up • what amounted to a Vatican disarmament summit conference. They met for two days in a Vatican-sponsored conference to discuss a document prepared by American churchmen which condemned nuclear warfare. The meeting brought together American bishops, and bishops from Italy, France, West Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The meeting came at the initiative of the Americans, whose draft of a 25,000-word pastoral • letter is up for formal adoption in Chicago in May.

The draft document condemns any intent or threat to use nuclear weapons and says that even possessing them as a deterrent can be tolerated only if steps are taken towards mutual disar-

mament by the United States and the Soviet Union. Cardinal-elect Joseph Bernardin, the Archbishop of Chicago, a leader of the American bishops’ antinuclear effort, said yesterday that although the views of the Europeans would be taken into consideration he did not expect any serious changes in the draft document. He said that it may be amended to affirm the right of individuals and nations to defend themselves and to add more comprehensive commentary on United States-Soviet relations. Vatican radio called the talks informal and friendly... an open and cordial* exchange of ideas on an important and delicate problem. It said that the talks were an example of the Church’s concern for the real problems and hopes of the world. The arms race had become increasingly frightening and

pastoral action was a useful way to deal with the problem, it said. A Vatican official said that the public stance of the French and the West German bishops on nuclear arms was more middle-of-the-road than the Americans. The English and Scottish bishops were closer to the Americans, and the Italians had made only one main statement on nuclear arms, expressing concern 'over plans to install American nuclear missiles in Sicily as part of a N.A.T.O. build-up, he said. The draft of the American bishops, pastoral letter condemns targeting of nuclear weapons on installations near population centres, now part of United States strategy, or any first Use of nuclear arms, an option the Reagan Administration says is essential against potentially overwhelming conventional Warsaw Pact forces in Europe.