Catholic Bishops to House of Representatives: What Would Jesus Do?

The nation's Roman Catholic bishops are urging the GOP-led House to remember how Christian they all said they were back when they were running for office.

"A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons," wrote Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., reports Huffington Post.

The "What Would Jesus Do?" approach has been rejected by the overwhelmingly Christian House, including Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Budget Committee Chair Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., both of whom are "devout" Catholics.

In May, dozens of Roman Catholic priests, nuns, theologians, and social justice leaders signed an open letter to Boehner accusing him of supporting budget cuts to the poor that go against Catholic teachings, according to the Christian Post.

“Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress,” the Catholic leaders charged. “The fundamental concern should have great urgency for Catholic policy makers. Yet, even now, you work in opposition to it.”

Actual religious people, as opposed to the politically religious, take issue with the 2012 budget proposal that would cut Maternal and Child Health grants, the Women and Infants and Children Nutrition program, food stamps, Medicaid and Medicare.

Boehner said, “I believe the actions that I’ve taken in my years in Congress uphold the values of my faith.”

Photo by Brainware 3000, Creative Commons license

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