.- The
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services
presented their priorities for 2007 foreign assistance to the House
Appropriations Committee in their testimony March 22.
“Investments in
human development are not only matters of moral responsibility, but
contribute to a safer and more just and peaceful world,” the told the
committee, adding that severe poverty assaults the human dignity of
millions in many nations.
“Our religious
faith and our nation’s values tell us that the moral measure of our
efforts is how we respond to the ‘least among us’…and whether we seek
justice for all,” they stated.
Their suggested
allocations included $5 billion for global development and humanitarian
assistance, $150 million in employment assistance and poverty relief
for the Palestinian people, and $3.7 billion for morally appropriate
programs to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
They tackled
debt relief, calling on the administration to put $950 million toward
its commitment to cancel 100 percent of the debt owed by heavily
indebted poor countries, and to increase the number of countries
eligible for debt cancellation.
As migration is
an ongoing phenomenon worldwide, the Catholic agencies estimated that
nearly $1.3 billion should be slated for different types of migration
and refugee assistance.
Finally, they
said $ 3 billion would be needed to fulfill the requirements of the
Millennium Challenge Account, the president’s initiative that promises
to unite poverty reduction with better governance in poor countries;.
Catholic agencies say poverty ‘assaults millions’
Related news
Related articles
* The number of messages that can be online is limited. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages
Featured Videos
May
20
Liturgical Calendar
May 20, 2013
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary TimeAll readings:
Today »This year »
Catholic Daily
Gospel of the Day
Mk 9,14-29
Gospel
Date
05/20/13
05/19/13
05/18/13
Homily of the Day
Mk 16,15-20
Homily
Date
05/20/13
05/19/13
05/18/13
Most Popular
Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com
