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PDF versionCatholic bishops take stand against Boehner budget bill
by Maureen Fiedler on Jul. 28, 2011
Today, at the U.S. Capitol, some friends of mine were arrested because they care a lot about the poor. They sought to give witness to members of Congress that the budget bill drawn up by Speaker John Boehner is travesty, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
Arrested were people like Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause (also a Methodist minister), Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center in Philadelphia, Rev. C. Welton Gaddy of the Interfaith Alliance, Rev. Jim Winkler, general secretary, General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, and Rev. Jennifer Butler, Executive Director, Faith and Public Life. Sr. Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service and director of NETWORK, was an official observer.
"Congress is paralyzed by toxic partisan politics while people suffer," wrote the Rev. Michael Livingston, a past president of the National Council of the Churches of Christ (USA), one of those arrested. "Our elected officials are protecting corporations and wealthy individuals while shredding the safety net for millions of the most vulnerable people in our nation and abroad. Our faith won't allow us to passively watch this travesty unfold."
No Catholic bishops appeared at the Capitol, but I was delighted to discover that the USCCB wrote a letter to all members of the House strongly opposing that same budget bill that the protestors oppose.
The bishops rejected the "cut-spending-only" approach of the Republicans, called for shared sacrifice, advocated less military spending, and strongly urged protection for the poor and vulnerable. And, in spite of the polls, it also called for generous spending for international aid. Here is a link to an article by Dave Gibson with more details.
I cannot get excited about
I cannot get excited about Bob Edgar speaking out for the poor. Edgar, a Democrat, represented many of us in traditionally-Republican Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in the House of Representatives for about 10 years, winning his seat initially in the post-Watergate atmosphere. He was always then, and I believe remains, a prominent hard-line pro-abortion advocate.
Did you mean to suggest that it is noteworthy that a group of pro-abortion personalities is criticizing today's House Republicans for their indifference to the poor? I don't think you meant that, though readers might assume that you did.
As a Christian and a Catholic, as someone who works and prays for the poor, I despise the Tea Party, in Congress and elsewhere. I am even more unhappy with today's cowardly non-Tea Party Republicans in Congress. But I am not so disappointed that I need to sit in the same pew with the likes of Bob Edgar. They say, Politics makes strange bedfellows. I say, Check for bedbugs.
Vincent
It's surprising how anothers
It's surprising how anothers knowledge and made public, assists others to sum up the story behind the story.
Thanks Vincent, their perspective looked good on paper at a glance.
The USCCB has no more a game
The USCCB has no more a game plan than bHo. After the way it handled the pedophile priest scandal, it does not have much credibility with the laity or anybody else anyway.
I think the Bishops and other
I think the Bishops and other religious orders should stand back a few feet and pause to READ their BIBLE!! I have searched the Bible up and down, and nowhere can I find the scripture that says the US government is responsible for taking care of the poor. There are many scriptures that points to the Church and the parishioners as having a moral responsibility for the care of the poor. Maybe the Church's should start doing more supporting of the poor, and less asking the "government" to step up and do what Jesus asked them to do. If I see someone hungry, I will feed them, and if they need clothing, I will provide what I can. The government taking care of the poor has caused this great problem, this "right to entitlement." The government "handling" this job has relieved the Church and christians of a great burden, "personal responsibility and charity." An boy or boy, has it help the Church's keep their bank accounts on the fluffy side. IMHO
In the archdiocese of Boston,
In the archdiocese of Boston, the Church is second only to the state in helping the needy. The Church is the second largest social agency in the state. I am sure it is that way in most dioceses. Perhaps a little research before writing a comment would help.
Once again our Catholic
Once again our Catholic bishops talk the talk (this time with a letter) but don't walk the walk. Are these the descandents of Christ's apostles as they claim they are? The Apostles walked the walk ( and sailed the seas, and rode their horses)to spread peace justice love and Christ. That's a far cry from sending a letter.
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