US Catholic Bishops Weigh in on US Budget

I follow several religious "lobbying" efforts, including the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty, Network, Bread for the World, and Sojourners. Now that the 2010-2011 budget is settled, the arguments for the new year have begun, jump-started by Representative Ryan's Republican proposal. According to its author, it was an attempt to deal with the federal deficit. However, his version of the budget budget drew very clear lines, as his plan savages services to the poor while adding more tax cuts for the very wealthy, and continuing insane levels of support for our military.

The US Catholic Bishops have finally weighed in on the issue (to see their entire letter, check HERE). First of all, they wish to be clear...they "write as pastors and teachers, not experts or partisans." They also "clearly acknowledge the difficulties that the Congress, Administration, and government at all levels face to get our financial house in order: fulfilling the demands of justice and moral obligations to future generations; controlling future debt and deficits,; and protecting the lives and dignity of those who are poor and vulnerable." That said, they offer several "moral criteria" to help guide difficult budgetary decisions:

1.) Every budget decision should be assessed by whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity.

2.) A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects "the least of these" (Matthew 25). The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work, or in poverty should come first.

3.) Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, expecially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic times.


They continue..."A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. It requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adaquate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly."

Under health care, they also worry that "some proposed changes to Medicare and Medicaid could leave more elderly and poor people without the assurance of adaquaate and affordable health care. Medicaid block grants may offer states more flexibility, but could leave states with inadequate resources as costs grow or more people need health care in fugure recessions."


They also warn that the House Resolution appears to "cut foreign operations budget by more than a third...We strongly support poverty-based international assistance. They end by observing that "the moral measure of this budget debate is not which party wins or which powerful interests prevail, but rather how those who are jobless, hungry homeless, or poor are treated. Their voices are too often missing in these debates"...

It was too long a time coming, but I am glad that the Church finally found its voice on the budget. I for one HATE paying taxes because so much of it goes to the military. However, I strongly support programs that build a better future for the world here and abroad, especially by targeting those who need resources the most. For that, I'd be willing to pay more in taxes.