Statement of Religious Leaders on North Korea Nuclear Agreement, July 17, 2007

Statement of Religious Leaders on North Korea Nuclear Agreement, July 17, 2007

Religious leaders, including Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Chairman, USCCB Committee on International Policy, respond to the denuclearization agreement reached with North Korea, praising it as a significant step toward halting nuclear weapons production and enhancing international security.

Key Points

• Commends the Bush administration for successful negotiations.
• Urges U.S. government and Congress to fully support and implement the agreement.
• Calls for continued diplomatic pressure on North Korea to dismantle all nuclear facilities.
• Emphasizes diplomacy over war, citing religious teachings that prioritize peaceful conflict resolution.

Broader implications

• Encourages similar diplomatic engagement with Iran, advocating direct negotiations without preconditions to prevent nuclear proliferation and strengthen regional security.
• Affirms that the success with North Korea demonstrates the effectiveness of dialogue over military action.

statement-of-religious-leaders-on-northern-korea-2007-07-17.pdf