Bishops call for bipartisan budget deal

October 02, 2013

Amid a federal budget debate that has led to a government shutdown, three bishops who chair committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called for “wise bipartisan leadership and moral clarity in crafting a plan to ensure the government continues to operate and meet its responsibility to protect human life and dignity, care for poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad, and advance the universal common good.”

“Additionally, responsibly completing a budget deal according to our principles allows Congress to continue the essential task of immigration reform,” said Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, and Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles in their September 30 letter, which was released the following day.

“In 2011, we welcomed bipartisan action which averted a federal government shutdown and the hardship that would have come with failure to reach agreement,” the prelates added. “The Catholic bishops of the United States stand ready to work with leaders of both parties for a budget that reduces future unsustainable deficits, protects poor and vulnerable people, advances the common good, and promotes human life and dignity.”

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop Gomez, Bishops Blaire And Pates Urge Congress To Fulfill Role Of Government And Meet Basic Needs Of People, Challenges Of The World (USCCB)
• Full text of letter (USCCB)