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Churches unite to 'end Trident' Churches unite to 'end Trident'
(about 5 hours later)
Scotland's religious leaders are joining campaigners on a march for peace from Faslane naval base to the Scottish Parliament. Scotland's religious leaders have joined campaigners on a march for peace from Faslane naval base to the Scottish Parliament.
Organisers Scotland's for Peace have called on the UK government not to replace Trident nuclear weapons based near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute. Organisers Scotland's for Peace said the UK Government should not replace the Trident nuclear weapons based near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.
The 85-mile Long Walk for Peace will start from the base at 0900 BST and aims to reach Edinburgh by Tuesday. The 85-mile Long Walk for Peace started from the base at 0900 BST and aims to reach Edinburgh by Tuesday.
In June, Gordon Brown said he backed replacing Trident. Dozens of anti-nuclear campaigners have joined the march.
Replace or upgrade 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.
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Alan McDonald, Archbishop Mario Conti and Cardinal Keith O'Brien are all set to take part in the march along the way. 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.
Scotland's for Peace is a joint initiative by Scottish churches, trades unions and peace organisations, including CND. The potential for the indiscriminate destruction of countless men, women and children is almost beyond belief Right Reverend Alan McDonaldChurch of Scotland
Campaigners will call on the Scottish Parliament to oppose Westminster's plans to replace or upgrade the Trident nuclear weapons system. Mr McDonald has been criticised by some in the church, who said he does not speak for them on such a controversial issue.
The issue of nuclear weapons is close to the heart of what it means to be a Christian today Rev Alan McDonaldModerator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland In recent weeks, the TUC - long term supporters of the anti-nuclear movement - have watered down their backing for the cause.
Scotland's for Peace is a joint initiative involving Scottish churches, trades unions and peace organisations, including CND.
A white paper on the issue will be published before the end of the year.A white paper on the issue will be published before the end of the year.
Rev McDonald, who has attended a number of demonstrations at Faslane over the years, said: "The statistics about Trident are chilling. 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."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."
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.
Marchers are calling for an end to Trident nuclear weapons in Scotland Speakers at Saturday's rally will include SNP Holyrood group leader Nicola Sturgeon and the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party Colin Fox.
It is then expected to arrive in Edinburgh on Tuesday. The walk is supported by 36 MSPs, including members from Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Greens, SSP and Solidarity.
Isobel Lindsay, convenor of Scotland's for Peace, said: "On this major issue, whether Gordon Brown or Tony Blair is in 10 Downing Street is irrelevant.
"Both have made a commitment to keep nuclear weapons in Scotland for the next half century, irrespective of the views of the Scottish people."
Speakers at Saturday's rally will include Holyrood leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and leader of the Scottish Socialist Party Colin Fox MSP.
The walk is supported by 36 MSPs, including Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, the SSP and Solidarity MSPs.