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Churches unite to 'end Trident' Churches unite to 'end Trident'
(about 3 hours later)
Scotland's religious leaders have joined campaigners on a march for peace from Faslane naval base to the Scottish Parliament. A cross-country protest march against replacing the Trident nuclear weapon system has got under way.
Organisers Scotland's for Peace said the UK Government should not replace the Trident nuclear weapons based near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute. Up to 100 campaigners, including senior church officials and peace campaigners, set off from Faslane Naval Base in Argyll and Bute on Thursday.
The 85-mile Long Walk for Peace started from the base at 0900 BST and aims to reach Edinburgh by Tuesday. The military base is home to Trident, which is up for replacement or upgrade at a cost of billions of pounds.
Dozens of anti-nuclear campaigners have joined the march. The marchers are undertaking an 85-mile walk to the Scottish Parliament so they can make their views known to MSPs.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Alan McDonald, Roman Catholic Archbishop Mario Conti and Cardinal Keith O'Brien are all set to take part in the march along the way. At First Minister's Questions on Thursday Jack McConnell came under fire over his views on nuclear weapons.
They plan to hold a rally outside the Scottish Parliament to press their case. In the coming months, the government will decide whether to renew Britain's nuclear deterrent. For me, the issue of nuclear weapons is close to the heart of what it means to be a Christian today Rt Rev Alan McDonald
The potential for the indiscriminate destruction of countless men, women and children is almost beyond belief Right Reverend Alan McDonaldChurch of Scotland The UK Government will decide whether to renew Trident in the coming months.
The SNP's Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon called on Mr McConnell to declare where he stood on the issue and not to "hedge his bets".
Churchmen, including Kirk moderator Rt Rev Alan McDonald, set out from the gates of the Trident submarine base on the Clyde.
Roman Catholic Archbishop Mario Conti and Cardinal Keith O'Brien will also take part in the march before it reaches the parliament on Tuesday.
Mr McDonald has been criticised by some in the church, who said he does not speak for them on such a controversial issue.Mr McDonald has been criticised by some in the church, who said he does not speak for them on such a controversial issue.
In recent weeks, the TUC - long term supporters of the anti-nuclear movement - have watered down their backing for the cause. Glasgow rally
Scotland's for Peace is a joint initiative involving Scottish churches, trades unions and peace organisations, including CND. The moderator, who has attended a number of demonstrations at Faslane over the years, said the statistics about Trident were "chilling".
A white paper on the issue will be published before the end of the year. He said: "Each Trident submarine can carry the equivalent of 750 Hiroshima atom bombs.
The moderator, who has attended a number of demonstrations at Faslane over the years, said: "The statistics about Trident are chilling.
Weekend rally
"Each Trident submarine can carry the equivalent of 750 Hiroshima atom bombs.
"The potential for the indiscriminate destruction of countless men, women and children is almost beyond belief."The potential for the indiscriminate destruction of countless men, women and children is almost beyond belief.
"For me, the issue of nuclear weapons is close to the heart of what it means to be a Christian today.""For me, the issue of nuclear weapons is close to the heart of what it means to be a Christian today."
Scottish CND co-ordinator John Ainslie added: "We are concerned that the government will announce later this year the plan to keep nuclear weapons in Scotland for another 40 years.
"We are marching to Scotland's parliament to ask them to take a stand on behalf of the Scottish people to oppose these proposals."
The march, which will be covering 15 miles each day, is set to pass through Glasgow on Saturday for a rally from Blythswood Square to George Square.The march, which will be covering 15 miles each day, is set to pass through Glasgow on Saturday for a rally from Blythswood Square to George Square.
Speakers at Saturday's rally will include SNP Holyrood group leader Nicola Sturgeon and the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party Colin Fox.
The walk is supported by 36 MSPs, including members from Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Greens, SSP and Solidarity.