Catholic leaders: Protect the poor

[rug]

Keep programs from fiscal cliff cuts

11:47 AM, Dec 5, 2012
Written by Mark Curnutte

WEST END — Leaders of 11 human service agencies within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati issued a joint statement this morning calling on federal leaders to protect the poor and vulnerable here and abroad in fiscal cliff negotiations.

Executives gathered at St. Vincent de Paul, 1125 Bank St., West End, at 9:30 a.m.

“The undersigned ... join together to reiterate the call of our U.S. Catholic bishops to U.S. senators and representatives to establish a ‘circle of protection’ around programs that help the poor in current federal budget negotiations,” the statement reads.

Combined, these 11 Catholic human service agencies served 415,000 people in 2011, distributing $90 million in assistance to people in need, “those whom Jesus Christ commands us to serve. ... Together, we provide food, shelter, prescription drugs, and emergency assistance to the poor; provide emergency assistance in times of disaster; protect the lives of the unborn; offer adoption services and parenting classes; and foster the health of mothers, children, and families.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121204/NEWS01/312040124/Catholic-leaders-Protect-poor

[No Vested Interest]

1. This call to Congressional representatives

by these agency leaders is sorely needed, following the election cycle in which the most conservative Catholic clergy appeared to favor the Republican agenda.

The Cincinnati Archdiocese is my home diocese, and I can vouch for the good done daily and on an ongoing basis by so many committed volunteers in this locale. We need to encourage them and their work in any way we can.

[rug]

2. That's good to hear about Cincinnati.