Cornwall, Ontario – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) gathered for the Plenary Assembly, approved and is now issuing the Statement on Nuclear Weapons. This release also coincides with the United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. In recent years, with major powers having increased their reliance on nuclear deterrence and having begun the modernization of their nuclear arsenals, through this statement, the Catholic Bishops of Canada speak out in full support of Pope Francis’ strong condemnation of nuclear weapons. Bishops make a special appeal to the Government of Canada to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. They also call on Canada, through changes in its own policies and practices, to persist in its efforts to bring NATO into conformity with the treaty.