Gregory reminds Congress of "most vulnerable"

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April 2003

Gregory reminds Congress of its obligations to "most vulnerable"
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Gregory reminds Congress of its obligations to "most vulnerable"
In a March 21 letter to the members of the U.S. Senate, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' President Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, Bishop of Belleville urged Senators to remember the most vulnerable as they worked on the upcoming fiscal budget, balancing the costs of war with Iraq with ongoing domestic needs in the U.S.

"Our nation is confronting war and terrorism, seeking greater security for our people, and facing higher unemployment and rising deficits. . . . I write to make a simple plea—do not overlook or neglect the needs of the poor and the vulnerable in the federal budget.

"The federal budget is more than a fiscal plan," Gregory wrote, "It reflects our values as a people. Your budget choices have clear moral and human dimensions. In these tough times, with war, the struggling economy and persistent unemployment, mounting deficits, and the demands of homeland security, our Conference could not support a budget plan that neglects the needs of the 'least of these' in our nation and world.

Gregory wrote to remind U.S. leaders that a "fundamental moral measure of our nation's budget policy is whether it enhances or undermines the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable members of our society."

"Preserving an adequate safety net for the poor and vulnerable may not command as much attention as homeland security, tax cuts, and military expenditures, but it is a fundamental moral obligation of a responsible society," Gregory added.

"We want to work with you to secure adequate resources to address hunger and homelessness, the needs of the jobless, and those trying to escape welfare, educate their children, or gain health care coverage. We also want to work with you to increase substantially international development assistance, to improve dramatically our nation's response to the health and food crises in Africa, to provide additional relief for the poorest people of the earth, and to provide assistance and protection to increasing numbers of refugees worldwide."

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