ON NOVEMBER 26, 12 leading Christian organisations from Britain and France issued a joint declaration calling on the governments of the two countries to take meaningful steps to promote or achieve nuclear disarmament. 

The reason for the declaration was the anniversary of the “Lancaster House” treaties, signed in November 2010, which committed Britain and France to co-operate on various aspects of nuclear weapons research. It reflected on the teachings of Jesus, in the run-up to Christmas, and his commitment to peace.

What could have been a simple commemorative statement gained extra urgency as the political context continues to change. Ongoing sabre-rattling created by the war in Ukraine and increasing geopolitical tensions worldwide have lead to most major powers falling back into militaristic models of security.