Catholic World News News Feature
Irish bishops' pastoral calls for increased foreign aid September 09, 2005
In a pastoral letter released on September 8, the Catholic bishops of Ireland have called upon the country's government to make a firm commitment to increased foreign-aid spending.
In their letter, "Towards the Global Common Good," the bishops ask the government to fulfill a UN mandate, under which all industrial countries would devote at least 0.7 percent of their budgets to aid programs for the impoverished countries of the world.
"We believe that the poorest nations of the world continue to look to Ireland to set the global standard for commitment to development aid," said Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh as he introduced the pastoral. "We also believe that there is a substantial support among the Irish people for a compelling and world-leading target, which will express their commitment to a more just and compassionate world."
"The government must lead the way towards the global common good that is outlined in this pastoral letter,” Bishop John Kirby, a Dublin auxiliary, added.
