The Pope and the Bomb: Beyond Deterrence
Join the Initiative on Revitalizing Catholic Engagement on Nuclear Disarmament, a collaboration of Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame Keough School of Global Affairs; and the Catholic Peacebuilding Network, for two days of events focused on nuclear deterrence and the Catholic church.
Thursday, January 30
5:00 p.m.: Keynote Lecture featuring Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Holy See
Copley Hall
Pope Francis has condemned nuclear deterrence, ratified the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, and been a leader in the campaign for a world without nuclear weapons. In an address in Hiroshima on November 24, 2019, he declared that “the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home.” One of the pope’s closest advisors on this campaign has been Archbishop Silvano Tomasi.
In this lecture, which will be introduced by Georgetown President John J. DeGioia, Archbishop Tomasi will discuss the Catholic Church’s role in the movement to abolish nuclear weapons, including the pope’s teaching, Vatican diplomatic initiatives in support of disarmament, and the responsibilities of Catholics in this current effort. Archbishop Tomasi will be joined by leading experts for a moderated conversation and audience discussion following his lecture.
A reception will follow.
Friday, January 31
All events held in McCarthy Hall McShain Lounge
Pope Francis has condemned nuclear deterrence, ratified the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, and been a leader in the campaign for a world without nuclear weapons. In an address in Hiroshima November 24, 2019, he declared that “the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home.”
This workshop will address the current state of nuclear geopolitics, alternative approaches to nuclear disarmament, and moral and pastoral implications of the Catholic Church’s evolving position on deterrence and nuclear disarmament.
Schedule
8:45 a.m. | Registration
9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Greetings
Drew Christiansen, S.J., Georgetown University
Alessio Pecorario, Dicastery for Integral Human Development
9:30 a.m. | How We Got Here
Introductions: Drew Christiansen, S.J., Georgetown University
William Barbieri, Catholic University of America
David Cortright, University of Notre Dame
William Werpehowski, Georgetown University
Marilyn McMorrow, RSCJ, Georgetown University (facilitator)
11:00 a.m. | Break
11:15 a.m. | Status Report: Arms Control and Non-proliferation
Introductions: John Carr, Georgetown University
Alexandra Bell, The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Richard Love, U.S. Army War College
Leon Ratz, Nuclear Threat Initiative (facilitator)
12:30 p.m. | Lunch
1:30 p.m. | Ethics and Pastoral Guidance
Introductions: John Carr, Georgetown University
Drew Christiansen, S.J., Georgetown University
Maryann Cusimano-Love, Catholic University of America
Gerard Powers, University of Notre Dame
Alessio Pecorario, Dicastery for Integral Human Development (facilitator)
3:00 p.m. | Conscience Formation and Public Education
Introductions: Gerard Powers, University of Notre Dame
Erin Connolly, Girl Security / Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Margaret Pfeil, University of Notre Dame
Kevin Ahern, Manhattan College (facilitator)
4:15 p.m. | Break
4:30 p.m. | Approaches to Nuclear Disarmament: Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Creating an Environment for Nuclear Disarmament, Joint Enterprise
Introduction: Lucas Koach, USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace
Jonathan Granoff, Global Security Institute / International Law Section of the American Bar Association
James Goodby, Stanford University
Bonnie Jenkins, Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security (facilitator)
5:45 p.m. | Concluding Remarks
Drew Christiansen, S.J., Georgetown University
Additional event co-sponsors include the International Federation of Catholic Universities and Georgetown University’s Office of the President, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, and Center on National Security and the Law.