US bishops to Congress: remember the poor, don’t fund abortions

March 08, 2011

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, chairman of the committee on domestic justice and human development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is calling upon members of Congress who are contemplating budget cuts to cease funding abortions and to remember the poor.

“Protecting human life is a first requirement,” he said in a March 4 letter. “Therefore I strongly support provisions that retain all appropriations riders against abortion funding, and that restore a consistent ban on such funding in the budget of the District of Columbia. I hope funds now provided to organizations that perform abortions, and to programs that promote contraceptives to unmarried minors, will be redirected to meeting the basic needs of the poor.”

Bishop Blaire noted that “some current proposals call for substantial reductions, particularly in those programs that serve the poorest and most vulnerable people in our nation.” Calling for “shared sacrifice by all,” Bishop Blaire said that “strategies to raise adequate revenues, eliminate unnecessary defense spending, and address the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs in a fair manner, also need to be offered and discussed.”

 

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Further information:

• Bishops Continue to Urge Congress to Remember the Poor in Budget Priorities (USCCB)
• Full text of letter (USCCB)