The Life of Bruce Kent and his Significant Contribution to International Peace

That the Parliament notes the sad passing of Bruce Kent on 8 June 2022, who died at the age of 92; sends sincere condolences to his wife and sister, and his extensive family and friends; recognises what it sees as the significant contribution Kent has made to the nuclear disarmament movement; understands that Monsignor Kent first became involved in the nuclear disarmament movement through his chaplaincy of Pax Christie, the Roman Catholic arm of the nuclear disarmament peace movement, in London; notes that, at the time of his death, Kent was a Vice President of CND, Vice-President of Pax Christi and Emeritus President of the Movement for the Abolition of War; recognises that Kent served as secretary and then chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) from 1980-1990; understands that during this time he saw a turnaround of membership from 3,000 to addressing rallies of 250,000 in Hyde Park by the next year; recognises that Kent was President of the International Peace Bureau from 1985-1992, which is one of the oldest peace organisations in the world and which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1910; highlights what it sees as Kent's honouring of conscientious objectors throughout his lifetime; understands that personal heroes included Franz Jagerstatter, an Austrian farmer who was executed in 1943 for refusing to fight in Hitler's army; emphasises what it sees as Kent's long-term commitment to international peace and support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which will be concluding its first Meeting of State Parties on the 22 June 2022, when Kent would have turned 93; acknowledges Kent's enduring faith; believes that this was integral to his involvement in the peace movement, and notes that in 2021 the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded him and his wife, Dr Valerie Flessati, the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism for their "exceptional, tireless and lifelong dedication to the Christian ecumenical search for peace, both individually and together".