Following the spectacular failure of Russia's experimental rocket Petrel/Skyfall on October 8, 2019, conversations have renewed over an arms race between the United States and Russia. In this article Rev. Drew Christiansen, S.J., argues that an era of a new nuclear arms race, international pressure for disarmament and non-proliferation are critical. Old treaties need to be enforced, and we need new treaties that bind states to an elementary commitment for an ethically warranted nuclear policy. In this space, the Catholic Church must play a role as well by defending the sacredness of humanity. The Church's teachings on condemnation for nuclear tests, possession, and deterrence must drive the debate forward, forcing the sanctity of human life to the forefront of this imminent threat. The article was published in the December 2019 English edition of La Civiltà Cattolica. The PDF is provided courtesy of La Civiltà Cattolica, the article's original publisher.
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