Catholic Leaders & Others Challenge President Obama and Congress to Protect Poor, Most Vulnerable in Debt Talks

As the White House and Congressional leaders continue to debate about how to avert a national debt disaster, religious leaders in the US, including several thousand pastors and a number of Catholic social justice activists and theologians, have issued statements calling on them to do what is morally right. Here is the Catholics' text, which was released a week ago:

As Catholic leaders and academics who believe government has a vital role in serving the common good, we are deeply concerned that President Obama and Republican leaders will strike a budget compromise that sacrifices the poor and most vulnerable on the altar of deficit reduction. Such a solution would be flawed public policy and a moral failure. We must address our nation's fiscal crisis. The crisis is the result of unsustainable tax cuts, deficit funding of two wars, and the financial crisis. In this context it is gravely immoral to balance the budget on the backs of the middle class and poor by slashing Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and other bedrock safety net programs that support pregnant mothers and infants.

Many of us supported President Obama's efforts to pass health care reform legislation, applaud his consistent appeals for comprehensive immigration reform and commend his bold commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. All of these initiatives reflect core principles of Catholic social teaching in public life. But we are compelled speak out to ensure that political leaders do not forsake those who have no voice, especially when political pressure mounts. Faced with irresponsible and reckless calls from Republicans to dismantle our nation's safety net, the President must now demonstrate the leadership and moral vision necessary to reject false choices. In years past, political leaders from both parties have reduced the deficit without hurting our must vulnerable neighbors and increasing poverty. We must do so again.

We join together with Christian clergy and Jewish leaders across the country who have endorsed the Circle of Protection. Standing up for those on the margins is rarely politically convenient, but President Obama and Republican leaders now have an historic opportunity to renew our nation's faith in government that serves the common good.

Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS Executive Director NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Rev. T. Michael McNulty, SJ Justice and Peace Director Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)

Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF Associate Director for Social Mission Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Sr. Mary Waskowiak, RSM, President Sr. Anne Curtis, RSM Sr. Pat McDermott, RSM Sr. Linda Werthman, RSM Sr. Eileen Campbell, RSM

Stephen F. Schneck Director Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies The Catholic University of America

Rev. James E. Hug, S.J. President Center of Concern

Joseph A. McCartin Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor Georgetown University

Rev. John A. Coleman S.J. Associate Pastor St. Ignatius Church San Francisco, CA

Alexander Mikulich, Ph.D. Research Fellow Jesuit Social Research Institute Loyola University New Orleans, LA

Rev. Thomas Massaro, S.J. Professor of Moral Theology Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

Sr. Mary Ellen Howard, RSM Executive Director St. Frances Cabrini Clinic Most Holy Trinity Church Detroit, MI

Nicholas P. Cafardi Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Duquesne University

Rev. Joseph Nangle, OFM Our Lady Queen of Peace Arlington, VA

Kristin E. Heyer Associate Professor Religious Studies Department Santa Clara University

Tobias Winright Associate Professor of Theological Ethics Saint Louis University

Dennis M. Doyle, Ph.D. Professor of Religious Studies University of Dayton

John Inglis Professor of Philosophy University of Dayton

Kelly S. Johnson Associate Professor of Religious Studies University of Dayton

Vincent J. Miller Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture Department of Religious Studies University of Dayton

Anthony B. Smith Associate Professor Department of Religious Studies University of Dayton

Terrence W. Tilley Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. Professor of Catholic Theology Chair, Theology Department President, Society for Philosophy of Religion Fordham University Bronx, NY

Mark Potter, Ph.D. Provincial Assistant, Social Ministries California Province of the Society of Jesus\

Gary Macy John Nobili, S.J. Professor of Theology Chair Religious Studies Department Santa Clara University

Rev. Bruce T. Morrill, S.J. Professor, Divinity School Vanderbilt University

John Sniegocki Associate Professor of Christian Ethics Xavier University Cincinnati, OH

Maureen O'Connell Associate Professor of Theology Fordham University

Brian P. Flanagan Assistant Professor of Theology Marymount University Arlington, VA

Christopher P. Vogt Associate Professor of Theology & Religious Studies St. John's University New York, NY

Rev. Drew Christiansen, S. J. Editor in Chief America

Nancy Dallavalle Associate Professor and Chair Department of Religious Studies Fairfield University

Christopher Pramuk Assistant Professor of Theology Xavier University, Cincinnati

Lisa Sowle Cahill J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology Boston College

Dr. Dolores Christie Cleveland, Ohio