USCCB, CRS: contact members of Congress on behalf of anti-poverty programs, immigration reform
February 13, 2013
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services are urging Catholics to contact their members of Congress to “reemphasiz[e] the Church's message that Congress has a responsibility to reduce our nation's deficits, but must do so in ways that ensures help for people living in poverty, both at home and abroad and to fix our broken immigration system.”
“In this Year of Faith, Catholic leaders are gathering this week in Washington, DC to advocate with members of Congress to protect human life and dignity,” according to an “action alert” that referred to the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which is taking place from February 10-13 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington.
“The issues they will be raising with lawmakers include protecting poverty-focused international assistance and maintaining funding for assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the U.S.,” the action alert continued. “They will also urge support for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in our country, a focus on reuniting families, improved temporary worker programs and addressing the root causes of why people are compelled to leave their home countries.”
In addition, a document entitled “A Catholic Message to Congress” with the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering logo has been posted on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The message offers a detailed list of federal programs “supported by USCCB and CRS.”
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Further information:
- Join Catholic leaders and call on Congress to do the right thing (Catholics Confront Global Poverty)
- Join Catholic leaders and call on Congress to do the right thing (Catholics Confront Global Poverty, full text)
- A Catholic Message to Congress (USCCB)
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Posted by: unum -
Feb. 14, 2013 2:23 PM ET USA
I have read the USCCB letter, and it sounds like it came from "K Street" instead of Catholic bishops. I have asked our diocesan Catholic Conference not to send me any more requests from the USCCB to lobby Congress. Our requests to contact our state legislators are primarily on life issues. Our diocese doesn't seem to meddle in public policy issues like the USCCB.
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Posted by: impossible -
Feb. 13, 2013 3:25 PM ET USA
Referring faithful Catholics to this list should serve as a reminder of many reasons the USCCB should be disbanded: In addition, a document entitled “A Catholic Message to Congress” with the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering logo has been posted on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The message offers a detailed list of federal programs “supported by USCCB and CRS.”
