Senior clergy and anti-nuclear campaigners are demanding Westminster Abbey cancel a service to honour Trident submarine crews as it could be seen as celebrating weapons that “indiscriminately kill”.
A service to “recognise 50 years of continuous at sea deterrent” is planned for 3 May and will be attended by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
Two senior bishops and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are among those that have questioned the appropriateness of the Abbey to host such an event.
Trident consists of four Vanguard submarines armed with nuclear missiles. At least one is always at sea and is the UK’s only nuclear capability.
The Bishop of Colchester, the Right Rev Roger Morris, told The Times: “To celebrate a device that is designed to indiscriminately kill and destroy thousands of innocent civilians is totally incompatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and with our commitment as a church to peace and to the flourishing of all humanity”
The event is being organised by the Royal Navy and will recognise the “commitment” of the submarine crews as well as “pray for peace throughout the world”.
Westminster Abbey has responded by denying the service is not honouring weapons of mass destruction.
In a statement emailed to HuffPost UK, a spokesperson said: “The service marking the 50 years of the continuous at sea deterrent is not a service of thanksgiving or a celebration of nuclear armaments.
“The service will recognise the commitment of the Royal Navy to effective peace-keeping through the deterrent over the past fifty years and will pray for peace throughout the world.”