U.S. Bishops Send Letter in Advance of President Trump’s Proposed Budget Emphasizing the Need for Spending Priorities Promoting the Common Good
WASHINGTON— Six Chairmen of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops have released a letter in advance of theanticipated unveiling of President Donald J. Trump's full budget plan tomorrow. That proposed budget is expected to callfor a sharp increase in military spending while making significant cuts a
WASHINGTON— Six Chairmen of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops have released a letter in advance of theanticipated unveiling of President Donald J. Trump's full budget plan tomorrow.
That proposed budget is expected to callfor a sharp increase in military spending while making significant cuts acrossmuch of the rest of government, including the planned elimination of dozens oflong-standing federal programs that assist the poor and vulnerable.
In letters to both the United States Houseof Representatives and the United States Senate sent May 19, the bishopsreaffirmed the federal budget as a moral document containing profoundimplications for the common good of our nation and world. The letter statesthat the "budget requires difficult decisions that ought to be guided by moralcriteria that protect human life and dignity, give central importance to 'theleast of these' (Matthew 25), and promote the welfare of workers and familieswho struggle to live in dignity."
The letter was signed by Cardinal TimothyDolan, Archbishop of New York, Chairman, Committee on Pro-Life Activities,Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice andHuman Development, Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chairman, Committee onInternational Justice and Peace, Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, of Youngstown,Chairman, Committee on Catholic Education, Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, ofBurlington, Chairman, Committee on Communications, and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez ofAustin, Chairman, Committee on Migration.
The full text of the letter sent to theU.S. Senate/U.S. House of Representatives is available at:
Keywords: U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops, USCCB, federal budget, United States Senate, United States House ofRepresentatives, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop OscanCantú, Bishop George V. Murry, Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, Bishop Joe S.Vásquez , moral document, common good, human life, human dignity, families,workers, military expenditures, health care, retirement, fiscal policy, healthinsurance, discretionary spending, immigration, tax policy, nuclear weapons,diplomacy, conflicts, Syria, Iraq, anti-poverty programs, reconciliation,income security, education, peace.
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