Washington D.C., Jan 15, 2009 / 02:45 am
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, writing on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, Vice-president-elect Joseph Biden and Congress to assure them of the bishops’ prayers and their commitment “to make this period of national change a time to advance the common good and defend the life and dignity of all.”
The January 13 letter from Cardinal George, who is the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), offered an outline of “an agenda for dialogue and action.”
The cardinal began by explaining that bishops approach public policy “as pastors and teachers.” Their moral principles have guided them in reaching out to the needy, offering health care and housing, and educating children.
“We lead the largest community of faith in the United States, one that serves every part of our nation and is present in almost every place on earth,” the letter continued. “From our experience and our tradition, we offer a distinctive, constructive and principled contribution to the national dialogue on how to act together on issues of economic turmoil and suffering, war and violence, moral decency and human dignity.”