Nuclear war concept.
Jerome Novotny , OMI – Many people today, especially here in Japan and Asia, possess nuclear anxiety and fear that a nuclear war will occur. In the past, many have argued that the concept of nuclear deterrence would not only prevent the use of nuclear weapons but even prevent wars. They claimed that the balance of terror would preserve peace. Yet facts show that nuclear deterrence is not aiding but obstructing peace.
As this article is being written, we see a sudden surge in military activity and spending among world leaders. In particular, the amount spent on nuclear weapons by the nine nuclear-armed countries – China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the UK and US – exceeded $100 billion in 2024.
I. One Typical Example
ICAN has posted one current example of nuclear weapon spending by one nuclear-armed country: France. For every minute of 2024, France spent $13,039 (€12,048) on nuclear weapons. For every person living in France last year, the country spent $103 (€95) per person on its nuclear arsenal. France spent 51 times its assessed contribution to the United Nations on its nuclear arsenal in 2024. In fact, France could have paid nearly twice the entire UN budget with its nuclear weapon spending. French nuclear weapon spending could have saved the lives of 44 million people who were on the brink of famine.
Now, add to this to the spending of the other eight nuclear-armed countries: frightening!
II. Original and Current Reasoning
The original reasoning for the development of nuclear weapons was to prevent and deter war because any nuclear war would escalate due to mutual distrust and fear between two countries, resulting in mutual destruction. But much has changed since that beginning. Recent statements from the nine nuclear-armed countries show a complete turnaround from prevention to threatening other countries with their nuclear weapons. The gap between prevention and usage has narrowed tremendously. Just one miscalculation by any one of these countries most likely would lead to a nuclear war. North Korea sits at the top of the list with its uncontrollable nuclear development program and weak leadership. Check recent statements below: For additional information, continue a search on Google.
1. North Korea threatens to use nuclear weapons
2. Russia threatens to use nuclear weapons
3. China threatens to use nuclear weapons
4. France threatens to use nuclear weapons
5. India threatens to use nuclear weapons
6. Israel threatens to use nuclear weapons -1
Israel threatens to use nuclear weapons -2
7. Pakistan threatens to use nuclear weapons
8. UK threatens to use nuclear weapons
9. US threatens to use nuclear weapons
These nine countries have roughly 12,331 nuclear warheads, with over 9,600 in active military stockpiles waiting to be used. The research in Status of the Worlds Nuclear Forces was recently posted by the Federation of Atomic Scientists 2025.
In addition, six countries are hosting another country’s nuclear weapons: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Belarus.
In addition, twenty-eight countries “endorse” the possession and use of nuclear weapons by allowing the potential hosting of nuclear weapons: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden.
This type of nuclear arms behavior is like two sworn enemies standing waist-deep in gasoline, one with three matches, the other with five. Nuclear War: Waiting to Happen!
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III. What happens if a nuclear weapons are used?
First of all, civilians are the main target. Nuclear weapons are designed to destroy cities, which, translated, means to kill, injure, and maim human beings: the elderly, the sick, the children, the grandparents, the disabled, everybody. “Maim” implies a more severe and permanent physical injury, often involving the loss or disabling of a body part. No one is excluded. Several nuclear explosions over modern cities like New York, Paris, or Tokyo would kill tens of millions of people. Casualties from a major nuclear war between the US and Russia would reach hundreds of millions.
Watch on YouTube what would happen if we nuked a city?
Brief summary of video: It takes less than 10 seconds for the fireball from a nuclear explosion to reach its maximum size. The explosion releases such a strong energy made up of blast, heat, and radiation, that it reaches speeds of hundreds of kilometers an hour in a matter of seconds. The thermal radiation is so intense that almost everything close to ground zero will vaporize.
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It is a fact that the use of less than one percent of nuclear weapons in the world would threaten over two billion people with starvation. It is a fact that detonating many of these nuclear weapons would result in a nuclear winter. It is a fact that destruction by nuclear weapons is never limited to only military targets or soldiers, but mainly to civilians.
One elderly Japanese recalls that the dying survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were ringing like bells because of the many pieces of glass in their bodies, and they had their peeled skins in their hands. It was just horrible.
IV. Why is a ban necessary?
Nuclear weapons are the most inhumane and indiscriminate weapons ever created. That is why it is time to end them before they end us.
Nuclear weapons have evil consequences: (1) they breed fear and mistrust among nations; (2) governments can threaten to wipe out entire cities and populations in a heartbeat; (3) the high cost of nuclear weapons’ production and modernization; (4) money is deflected from health care, education, disaster relief, and millions facing hunger globally; (5) other vital services. Banning these immoral, inhumane weapons under international law is a critical step along the path to world peace and human survival.
V. How to stop nuclear weapons: take action now – ICAN
It is time to stop this madness. Together we can end nuclear weapons. How you can stop nuclear weapons. First, pray hard for our leaders. Second, educate yourself. Third, become active before it’s too late. Remember, real power lies in your hands.
VI. Nuclear Weapons and Catholic Position.
What did Jesus say about weapons?
When Jesus rebuked Peter, it wasn’t just because Jesus needed to suffer and die. He followed up his rebuke with a categorical statement about swords (guns/nuclear weapons) and violence: “all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt 26:52).
What does the Catholic Church teach on Nuclear Weapons?
The Catholic Church has always been consistent that there can be no moral case for the actual use of a weapon of mass destruction, as it is indiscriminate.
“Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation.”(109 Gaudium et Spes)
In 2011, Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, former Holy See’s observer at the United Nations, summarized it well in a speech at the UN. A short extract:
“Today, more and more people are convinced that nuclear deterrence is not a viable means of providing security. If some nations can continue to claim the right to possess nuclear weapons, then other states will claim that right as well. There can be no privileged position whereby some states can rely on nuclear weapons while simultaneously denying that same right to other states. Such an unbalanced position is unsustainable.”
“The Holy See has never countenanced nuclear deterrence as a permanent measure, nor does it today when it is evident that nuclear deterrence drives the development of ever newer nuclear arms, thus preventing genuine nuclear disarmament.
“Maintaining nuclear deterrence into the 21st century will not aid but impede peace. Nuclear deterrence prevents genuine nuclear disarmament. It maintains an unacceptable hegemony over non-nuclear development for the poorest half of the world’s population. It is a fundamental obstacle to achieving a new age of global security.
“Nuclear weapons, aptly described as the ‘ultimate evil’, are still possessed by the most powerful States which refuse to let them go…….. No weapon so threatens the longed-for peace of the 21st century as the nuclear.”
Please pray for all nations and the people of the world!
God Bless
Jerry Novotny, OMI
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(The Difference is LIFE) “Here I speak not only to those who enjoy the blessings and consolation of revealed religion but also to those who face the mysteries of human destiny alone. The flame of Christian ethics is still our highest guide. To guard and cherish it is our first interest, both spiritually and materially. The fulfilment of Spiritual duty in our daily life is vital to our survival. Only by bringing it into perfect application can we hope to solve for ourselves the problems of this world and not of this world alone.” – Winston Churchhill
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Websites by Fr. Jerry
(English) LifeIssues.net – Pro Life Website
(English) Fighting for the Culture of Life – Fr. Jerry’s Blog
(English) Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Japan and Korea
(Japanese) Japan-lifeissues.net – Pro Life Website
(Japanese) Human Rights: The Road to a Happy Life – Fr. Jerry’s Blog
(Japanese) Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Japan and Korea
