Washington D.C., May 13, 2013 / 23:09 pm
Leaders of several prominent Catholic institutions asked members of Congress to provide for the hungry, protect the interests of farmers and promote environmental stewardship with the 2013 Farm Bill.
"In the face of continuing budgetary constraints, the 2013 Farm Bill is an opportunity to address our nation's broken and outdated agricultural policies," they said.
"This is a crucial time to build a more just framework that puts poor and hungry people first, serves small and moderate-sized family farms, promotes sustainable stewardship of the land and helps vulnerable farmers and rural communities both at home and in developing countries."
In a May 9 letter sent to congressional agriculture committees, Catholic leaders urged the nation's lawmakers to consider the needs of both farmers and the poor as they discuss proposed farming legislation.
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, signed the letter in their role as U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committee chairmen. Bishop Blaire heads the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, while Bishop Pates leads the Committee on International Justice and Peace.