Catholic Bishops: Congress Has a ‘Moral Obligation’ to Protect the ‘Life & Dignity’ of the Unemployed
- Posted on December 13, 2011 at 4:51pm by
Billy Hallowell
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A new letter that was released on Tuesday by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops calls on Congress to extend unemployment insurance, while seemingly claiming that such protection falls under the “right to life and subsistence.”
The letter, which was sent through Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, chairman of the Conference’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, says that it is Congress’s “moral obligation” to protect the “life and dignity” of the unemployed. In a press release, the USCCB writes:
Bishop Blaire wrote that the current “pervasive economic pain” includes a median length of joblessness of 10 months, and over four job seekers for every opening. He wrote that Pope John Paul II called such conditions in “a real social disaster” and that the pope said the “obligation to provide unemployment benefits” to workers and their families is a fundamental principle of “the right to life and subsistence.”
Below, you can see the full letter, written by Blair:
The timing of the letter, as Commonwealth notes, is going to make it that much more contentious. House Republicans are hesitant to extend unemployment benefits, as some feel that doing to encourages people not to go out and look for employment.
A current measure under consideration that was introduced by House GOP leaders last week would reduce unemployment eligibility from 99 weeks to 59 weeks.
Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.)
The Hill has more regarding how some Democrats are reacting to the proposal:
At a procedural committee hearing on Monday night, Ways and Means Committee ranking member Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) warned his GOP colleagues that Democrats were furious about provisions in the must-pass measure to extend the current payroll tax rate holiday and extend and reform unemployment benefits.
“We’re headed for a confrontation on the Floor tomorrow,” Levin said in response to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Dave Camp’s (R-Mich.) statement on the 369-page bill up for consideration.
The veteran lawmaker pulled no punches in a preview of Tuesday’s 90-minute floor debate, calling the provisions related to phasing back the current 99 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits a “heartless, and I think mindless and reckless way to proceed.”
This most recent letter from the Bishops follows a back and forth between Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), a Catholic, and the Bishops back in May. Paul had apparently written a letter to New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan expressing his desire to provide facts about his budget to the faith leader (his note was in allegedly in response to a previous critique from Bishop Blaire). “We believe human dignity is undermined when citizens become passive clients living on redistributions from government bureaucracies,” Ryan wrote.
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.)
Dolan’s response to Ryan didn’t take an official stance on the House budget. “A singularly significant part of our duty as pastors is to insist that the cries of the poor are heard, and that the much needed reform leading to financial discipline that is recognized by all never adds further burdens upon those who are poor and most vulnerable, nor distracts us from our country’s historic consideration of the needs of the world’s suffering people,” Dolan wrote.
(H/T: Commonwealth)
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Comments (234)
tbeachhead
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:21pmActually, that is not the state’s God given role. That is the role of the church…how sweet that the RC’s are going to slough off the blame for lousy stewardship on a misguided state.
Report Post »LibertyBlossom
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:09pmPass your obligations to the state and keep your coffers full. Whitewashed tombs.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:15pmWhy don’t these Bishops put the unemployed to work, isn’t sloth a deadly sin? The church should provide them with work and modest food for their labor. Make them all monks or something. They can grow what they eat, that is all the “right” to subsistence they have.
Report Post »txn4justice
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:16pmOrphans, elderly and disabled should a moral obligation of the Gov’t. Laziness should not be rewarded.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:27pmCongress accepts values directed from Socialist, such as the Roman Catholic Church, therefore, Congress is urged to further to Socialist cause.
Report Post »watchmany2k
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:42pmProgressivism is worldwide and has infiltrated EVERYthing, Every where, including my church.
As a huge organization with Billions of people, there are parts of the body acting counter to scripture and cannon. The entrenchment of “social justice” as progressivism practices it, is just as much an invasion of the body as the pedophile and representitive of a minority within that just like politics is in positions of power currently. There are many of us who are trying from within to fight the virus.
It saddens me that at a time when the world needs her the most the church falls into the progressive trap. THIS is one time where theblaze et all is on the mark concerning the church.
That said, there IS another form of Social Justice our church has practiced for centuries.
From the priests in the leper colonys to Mother Teresa, those who live their vow of chastity and poverty have cared for the sick and the welfare of souls. So be careful of painting the church with a broad brush, even when a few in power don’t “get it”…..
It simply show the cancer of progressivism, and the work we have to rout it out EVERY where it exists.
Report Post »YoungBloodNews
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:48pmF$#K the Vatican, its minions, the Order of Loyola, and SMOM!
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:54pmCatholic bishops simply do not live in a world where they have to earn a living to support a family — they do not live with “the Law of the Harvest” in a personal fashion. Such distance is similar to the distance that Congress, President (and his beaurocrats) & Courts have from the People.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:54pmSocial Justice is the Mosaic Law, live as God has command or suffer the consequences thereof. The unbelief is a conscience choice to be deceived.
Report Post »ParishionerUSA
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:14pmWatchman Y2K, you are 100% correct! Pray for our Bishop, this is very wrong.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:17pmSocial Welfare programs created by pagans are to keep the world safe for sinners. God created us to subdue the earth, work. Welfare suppress those who are deceived.
Report Post »six6six
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:18pmI sincerely hope none of you lose your job and need help.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:36pmRead Scripture today so to be prepared for tomorrow. No man will correctly predict tomorrow. God willing, we can plan for this and that, God will surpass all understanding.
Impact a life, go to the homeless shelter and ask the people how you can pray for them. I dare any of you. Sarcasm at the politician goes no where. Sharing the Gospel with those in poverty is productive.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:44pm@666 – I hope all of you lose a job and your home. Accept Christ into your life, and find that nothing else in life is as important as having Faith in our Lord and Savior. Then assist those who really need your help.
From testimonials and personal experience, we’ve concluded that we can live an extraordinary life.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 10:15pmSooner or later you right wing americans will let go of your calvinistpuritanical hypercapitalist if you’re rich you must be good ssystem and catch up to the enlightened europeans and america will have not only universal health care,free higher education for qualified citizens but a guaranteed job or living wage for all its citizens. You right wingers are a reactionary force and you’re on your last legs.A parliamentary socialist/capitalist ssociety is a coming to the americans too and you’ll look back and recognise how uncivil your right wing economic policies were.A home ,a wage or job and free health care and higher education will be conssideredas much a human right as the right to due process.The constitution -like the bible-can be interpretd any way we want.Calling yourselves constituionalists is meaningless and a mask for right wing values.
Report Post »stonebridge
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 12:13am@Watchman–You are dead-on. The embracing of social justice, progressivism and Marxist ideas are becoming more and more prevalent in the Church, not only in the congregation, but also in the leaders of the Church. They are forgetting, dismissing, or deliberately muddying the line between personal commitment to others as an embracing of faith community, with governmental redistributive Marxist action. This is a frightening blending of government and religion that does not bode well for either.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 12:30amPrior to 1850, who in and around Boston helped the impoverished out of dire straits and back into the work force? The Christian Churches. Since then, the Socialist, without guidance from scripture, took over the grand scheme of things for their own self interest while devaluing benefits to the community.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 12:34amThe unemployed are not a class. This idea that they are, is designed to control the wage earners who wish to destroy the Unions.
Report Post »lillycatoscar
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 2:06amI have to agree with TBEACHHEAD. The RC church is the wealthiest church around, but for them to say, that it is Congresses responsibility to pass a bill for more unemployment wages is just ludicrous. Hey Pope, why don’t you release some of your funds to help out those who are unable to find a job? As TBEACHHEAD stated, it is the church who should be charitable.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 2:19amU.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:
YOU are the ones with ALL the “moral obligations”. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
That you would attempt to shirk your responsibilities off on an inept and paralyzed Congress is perhaps the most pathetic thing I’ve heard all day.
Report Post »Virgil_Lance
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:48amAs a Catholic, I strongly support the wonderful and generous plans the bishops have for wealth redistribution! In fact, I plan to start immediately. This Sunday I will place a check in the collection plate for one dime (10 cents) with a note on the back (they will not throw away a dime) about how the remainder of my offering will be redistributed to the needy in the name of social justice; and I will mention my calls to congress to revoke the tax exempt status of the Catholic church in order to further the redistribution. – I also plan to inform the pope of my wonderful generosity with the church’s money.
Report Post »His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City
Polwatcher
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:43amWhy don’t these Bishops encourage their own churches to serve food to the poor instead of giving orders for what people outside their church should to do.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:22amWell it would seem someones trying to merge church and state and it’s not the consrevatives.
Report Post »If the Catholic church wants to be an open political arm of liberal Progressive Democrats then the church should be taxed as they are ettempting to influence our government. freedom of religion is there to keep congress out of the church and the church out of congress.
pavnvet
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 10:40amThe church is granted tax free status. This means it should not be involved in politics….period. On the other hand, if they wish to give up their tax status, than they can say what they please. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue…it is an issue that are forefathers recognized as destructive to protecting all citizens from religious zeal.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 3:24pm@WatchmanY2K
I agree with your assessment of the advancement of progressive philosophy and social justice in our Church. It is the role of the Church to provide for the parishioners in dire straits and have exceeded the length of unemployment insurance provided by the state. Our church certainly has the money to provide for food and shelter. Since the bishops‘ letter and the Pope’s statement are not dogma or doctrine, I am not obligated to obey.
I have been unemployed twice in my life. First, when I got out of the Army along with a “gazillion” other guys. Second, when a company I worked for folded. Both times it was tough. I prayed for Jesus’ intercession and found work with his grace.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:21pmGee some idiot Bishop writes a letter to the Government desk squatter company and it gets right to the news….Here is my short letter …Dear Government Desk Squatter company .Get the hell out of my business and my life .and take that commie pile of trash Barry Obama with you..Thank You and Merry Christmas..
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:23pmumm , i have been to the vatican………..sell some of your stuff and you could feed a whole country!!!!
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:28pmReligions are man made: http://www.npr.org/2011/11/18/142518963/future-of-ministry-uncertain-after-cathedrals-sale
The poor and downtrodden do not appear to be at the top of the list. The church, not the state, should take care of the unemployed. When the state provides the care, it must steal from others to give. This too violates Christian teaching, ref. 10 Commandments.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:28pmThe CHURCH is obligated and directed to the charity for the poor, not government.
Report Post »LiveforFreedom
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:30pmMore should hear the VOICE!!!
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:31pmThe only “obligation” that Congress has, is to stick to the absolute letter of the Constitution, and stop taking away our liberty and destroying the jobs that enable Americans to take care of themselves.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:33pmI’m sorry, I am a Catholic and I think the Bishop lives a well cared for life and has no realistic idea of what he is talking about. It is up to faith based organization to help those in need. Ryan is right, keeping people on the welfare wagon does not help them. I am disappointed in this Bishop’s position and feel he should stay out of politics.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:38pmAmerica gives more money to poor countries than anyone else and it helps no one. The political elite spend it on themselves and the poor of the country remain poor. We need a reality check for these people!!!!! If the Catholic Church and other denominations start pushing social justice and redistribution I will not participate in any of them. They should read the Parable of the Talents and the Good Samaritan – he did not go to government to help the man attacked by robbers, he took him to the Inn himself and paid for his care. Good people will always help the poor. It is our government that is making us all poor and the country is going down the drain. THROW THEM ALL OUT.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:38pmI wonder if the Bishop feels as strongly that Congress has an obligation to protect the livelihood and families of the employed? Or, is his opinion more tied to the wealth of the Church?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:42pmTo me it’s odd that a church organization which is where the good and charity is actually supposed to be derived would get involved in opinions about the government taking care of people. Oh yeah that’s right, I keep forgetting that the Roman Catholic Church is nothing more than the remnants of the Roman Empire, and that’s why they crucified Peter when he walked wither Thou “wouldest not” in his old age against the Church.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:45pmDear U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
It is the church’s responsibility to take care of the “life and dignity” of the unemployed, NOT the mismanaged, socialist, lying, thieving government’s job. Please do yourselves a favor and go read your Bible.
Report Post »http://www.usgoldcoinauctions.com/Gold/$20-Double-Eagle
Eliasim
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:49pmI think people have far more to learn from the “Water” that John the Baptist baptizes with, rather than the corrupt H2O from the Roman Empire Church.
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 3:33pmBishop – No, people are responsible for their own decisions in life, not our government. There are plenty of agencies offering used clothing; temporary help with food and shelter; and training for jobs. After that, you are on your own.
Report Post »Too many people spend their time looking for all the freebies in life, instead of looking for work (any type of work), and paying their own way. By not doing this, they become lazy; unproductive; and take awary from the truly needy person.
Our current administration longs to be our only source of information, comfort, and daily needs…why do you think the FREE school BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, WEEKEND, and SUMMER food programs are getting so popular? If‘s it’s FREE, “they will come” (whether they truly need it or not!) Apparently, we’re to believe 42%(+) children go home hungry. Are the parents the only ones eating? Do these same parents not receive food stamps; medicaid and/or other social services and benefits? Our govt is encouraging our parents and their children (and probably their children) to rely on our govt and taxpayer monies to foot all their bills. I, for one, am sick, sick, sick of it!
LiveforFreedom
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:20pmPay them all !!! let GOD sort them out!!!
Report Post »The Enlightened Conservative
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:20pmThe Catholic Church is so One World Government-Agenda 21-Interfaith Movement it is pathetic. If they had their hands farther into the UN they would be the UN.
Report Post »BigMick51
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:19pmWhen the Vatican starts selling off it’s real estate holding, investment portfolio and it treasures and use the money to help the poor and unemployed, then I’ll start taking their messages with interest.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:13pmOne could say that about any of the large churches that have been around for centuries. In fact you could say that about some of the newer churches including LDS who have vast real estate and commercial holdings.
Report Post »Libertyandfreedom2012
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:15pmAs a Catholic WE have a moral obligation to help those in need, NOT the government!! Read “Religion and Capitalism; Allies not Enemies” by Edmud Optiz.
Report Post »4areason
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:16pmDitto, it is our responsibility as people of faith to help those in need. When we keep it local we know who is doing their part and needs a hand up. I also want to agree with a previous comment that we need to show as much concern for those who still have a job by not stealing from them and furthering the problem of adding to the unemployment roles because we tax and regulate the business’ still operating. We are struggling to pay our bills and feed our 4 children everyday. Our business is about to fold due to crony capitalism and big government regulation. Pile on more taxes to the ones I am already behind on and you can add our family to the desperate list. We didn’t have the heart to lay off our employees when business got tight; fell behind in our taxes thinking it was better to keep folks working. Stop the madness before the only ones left working are the government employees who won’t have a paycheck when everything else shuts down. The only way to prevent complete collapse is for each of us to help those nearby that are willing to do their part. We can save America with love not more giveaways that serve to keep people enslaved to a government that really doesn’t care about the little guy when he ceases to fit their mold. The poor will always be with us, it is our honor to serve those who sincerely need our help. We are fools when we help those who refuse to help themselves. Help your neighbor who has through no fault of his own become in need of assistance
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:41pmYour absolutely right.
Report Post »If you read Paul’s letter to Timothy Chapter 1 Paragraph 5 he tells us that “If anyone does not provide for his relatives,and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”……… A must read !
4xeverything
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:14pmSounds as if Pelosi got to the Catholic Church. It makes me sick. I consider myself Catholic still, but I have found that my faith has been served better outside of Sunday mass. This progressive parasite of social justice is grabbing hold of everything we hold dear, including our faiths. Just makes me sick.
Report Post »Nativetexana
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:34pmFind the nearest Tridentine Mass and leave the social justice crowd behind! Oneworldorder Novus Ordo is not the answer
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:44pmDon‘t forget that Pelosi’s favorite word is “the word.”
Lol, so funny
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:46pm@ 4X
Report Post »Lots of people have given up on “organized” religion-you are not alone there. I could actually go off on several tangents about where the bishop needs to focus his attentions. Keep your faith.
texasfireguy
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:15pmI wish more people realized what a privelage it is and how good we have. My neighbor is from India and put it perfectly; “America is what the rest of the world should be”. He is disgusted with the lazy and the people who are ungrateful for what they have.
Report Post »stickandtwig.com
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:13pmAs a government, there is no mandate in the Social Contract nor provision in Natural Law for society to assume responsibility for every soul within it. Neither does such a duty fall on government according to scripture. The responsibility to care for those in need is individual, and is the result of Natural Rights and Natural Law as our founders understood them, and as derived from Genesis 1 and 2 and Deuteronomy.
As one of the single wealthiest entities on the face of the planet, the Catholic Church should take care that it does not fall under the condemnation of Christ’s message regarding the rich young ruler Mat 19:16-26.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:12pmSurprise, Sander Levin, another goverment Jewish Marxist pushing the policies of Jewish Alinsky, Jewish Piven, Jewish Sunstein, Jewish Stern, Jewish Bloom, Jewish Berwick, Orszag, Lew, Emanuel, Summers, Bernstein, Axelrod, Gensler, Klain, Sperling, Steinberg, Sutphen, Kagan, Ginsburg, Breyer, Bernanke, Greenspan, Volcker… Sanders, Schumer, Boxer, Feinstein, Franken, Cardin, Kohl, Lautenberg, Wyden, Bennet, Giffords, Harman, Nadler, Waxman, Schakowsky, Frank, … Wasserman-Schultz… on and on… all liberal progressives taking our nation down.
Remember, Jews are 1.7% of the population. Facts don’t lie.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:23pmCatechism of the Catholic Church:
2427 Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God… Hence work is a duty: If any one will not work, let him not eat… Work honors the Creator’s gifts and talents… it can also be redemptive…
2429 Everyone has the right of economic initiative…
These Bishops should read their own published doctrine.
Report Post »texasfireguy
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:26pmYou are on a roll today smack. Forget to take your happy pills?
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:35pmI’m always happy, happy to be an American.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 3:35pmKeep in mind that being unemployed doesn’t always mean the person is a welfare drone. A lot of good people have lost jobs in this deep recession. If a person is willing and able to look for and do any kind of work but can’t find a job that means he is not an entitlement bunny.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:12pmWhat is the church doing?
We could have a more equitable division of wealth if Democrat kleptocrats like Democrat Governor/Senator Corzine would not steal people’s money? He doesn’t know where it went. Well per Sarbanes Oxley that is a federal offense. He should still go to jail. The record everything electronically. He just pleaded amnesia because his Democrat kleptocrats are going to bail him out.
Monasteries used to be places of learning. The church needs to do that again. The church can train forensic accountants & economists. Then they can talk instead of talking in generalities.
Instead of being against all interest they can talk about proper leverage ratios or what interest rate is just for a given risk level. Otherwise the bishops can take a walk.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:40pmWe have a moral obligation to assist anyone that is experiencing misfortune, the Catholic Church would say. They would be correct too.
but shouldn’t we get upstream of the problem?
The system is rigged by statists, socialists & others. Telling congress to pay unemployment is not getting at the root of the problem.
Like printing money to assist bankers de-leverage, when we should have let them go broke.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:11pm.
Catholic Bishops: Congress Has a ‘Moral Obligation’ to Protect the ‘Life & Dignity’ of the Unemployed…..
Just like ya’ll had the ‘Moral Obligation’ to Protect the ‘Life & Dignity’ of all the little children ya’ll Abused. And we know how that turned out……
Report Post »Get off your butt and join the Marines
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:09pmI see that the “moral christian GOPTP” pick and choose what aspects of religion they will adhere to. What a bunch of hypocritical phonies! As a good Christian or Catholic you can’t pick and choose what tenets to follow. In God’s eyes its all or nothing. I betcha that you would feel differently if unemployment and finacial woes hit you or your family, I can guarantee that. Hypocritical morons = GOPTP.
Report Post »tmansc
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:19pmFrom a former active duty marine: We DO NOT have a moral obligation to help those who WILL NOT help themselves. Only those who CANNOT help themselves.
Report Post »tmansc
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:20pmAnd by the way – that is our (society’s) duty, NOT governements.
Report Post »CATPBJ
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:36pmThe amount of people that are so lazy that would rather collect a tiny amount of gov handouts then to work is extremely small. I have volunteered in the big brother program, have helped out at numerous food pantries and soup kitchens, etc., and the vast majority of people I have met would rather work and provide for their family themselves as it gives them satisfaction and a good feeling. The people ‘working the system’ to collect and not contribute is tiny. I know many people who have worked 20, 30 or more years, and have masters or doctorates and are not finding work. People I know are often ashamed to have to collect unemployment or food stamps but dire times call for drastic measures and if it helps get them over the hump till their next job or career, then so be it!
Report Post »Jim-in-kansas
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:51pmI would probably be safe in wagering that 1.) you are not now or have you ever been a member of the United States Marine Corps. or 2.) you are not a conservative.
Report Post »With the following being said you are also not a Christian of any known conviction or study. If you were you would not bore the rest of us with your blather.
Sincerely,
James Douglass
Garden City, Kansas
hidden_lion
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:24pmChrist never said for Caesar to take from this man to give to that one. If it is forced it is not charity. A gift given reluctantly is better not given at all. The church and christians should give to the poor. But they are not obligated to help those who won’t work. Its better to teach a man to fish. If he is not willing to cast his line, he has no right to the food.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:32pmCATPBJ-“The amount of people that are so lazy that would rather collect a tiny amount of gov handouts then to work is extremely small”
Really? Here in Michigan 11,000 people have remained on welfare for more than 4 years. Thats like $500 a month plus food stamps for 4 years. There are many more than that that have been collecting for more than 2 years. There is no way all these people are sincerely trying to get out of the situation or to find a job, as even a minimum wage job at Mc D’s would pay them more. There are generations in the same family on welfare. it is a disease that spreads. If they were serious about helping them, maybe they could have them perform some kind of labor in exchange for the funds. Detroit is a nasty, dirty city which could clean up really fast with 11,000 people working on it.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:09pmWhat an idiot that liberal Sandy Levin is.How about when you get kicked out of office ,you lose your pension and benefits after 99 weeks just like the average Joe.Your’re set for life,yet you continue to destroy our country and you really think Americans think you care about them?What a smug Bastido he is.
Report Post »SAC723
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:07pmI’d say the church has a mandate to help the poor. A moral imperative of it’s own. Congress does not have any such ‘moral obligation’. It sounds as if the bishops would rather someone else take care of what Jesus instructed them to do. When Jesus saw suffering he did not run to Ceaser and force Ceaser to help the poor. If we’re following his example, I’d suggest the same. The Catholic Church is one of the richest organizations there is, untie the purse strings and feel free to donate as much as you like to families in need, instead of demanding others pay for charity you’re unwilling to give.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:07pmThe Catholic Church has the obligation to melt down all it’s stolen gold from around the world, and cash it in to feed whoever claims to be hungry. First. Nancy Pelosi, The Abortion Queen should donate all her insider trading wealth and feed starving people in San Fran. First.
Report Post »BacktotheFounders
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:05pmWhy do the Catholic Bishops want Congress to do what God has clearly told them to do? Jesus never spoke to any government and told it to care for the poor. He spoke to those who call themselves His people. Is the reason that if they can get someone else to do it, they won’t have to?
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:16pmJesus spoke to the people=people make the government=government should care about the poor.
Report Post »Jim-in-kansas
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:57pm@ Exrepublisheep
Report Post »I am afraid your logic is faulty on so many fronts that I am not going to bother pointing out even the first three or four. It is late in the day and you obviously will require more time than I have available at the moment to guide you to a more defensible argument.
Regards,
James Douglass
Garden City, Kansas
ltb
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:23pmExrepublisheep wrote: “Jesus spoke to the people=people make the government=government should care about the poor.”
—–
Gee, Pelosi gets a few heretics to do her bidding and all of a sudden Liberals want to tear down that mythical wall between Church and State. At any rate, there’s a reason those Bishops didn’t quote one verse from the Bible in their letter – it’s because they can’t back up their claim using the Bible.
Report Post »Alecto
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:05pmI sent an email to my diocese requesting information on how to leave the Catholic church for good. Not because of this, specifically, but becasue the Catholic church has devolved into a politically motivated social welfare agency grounded on socialist and communist political ideology. I have also requested that my representative introduce legislation to revoke the tax exempt status of the Catholic church in the United States. I plan to email every member of Congress before the year is over adnI hope others will do the same.
This letter, along with a panoply of other purely political actions taken by the bishops and Rome, are designed to influence and interfere with our rights as citizens to govern ourselves, to elect representatives and to establish laws and procedures for enforcing those laws. I have no choice but to conclude the Catholic bishops are a bunch of immoral, corrupt, arrogant, evil pedophiles determined to destroy our country. And, you all KNOW THAT IS TRUE!
Send them all packing – every single one of these traitors – back to Rome!
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:25pmGoogle “Dagon the fish god mitre”and learn where they got their pagan mitre hats from
Report Post »Nativetexana
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:38pmI pray that you go to the nearest Tridentine Mass and find the hidden treasure all the progressive social justice types tried to abolish! FSSP and SSPX priests will be a welcome change!
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:05pmthe catholic church is lead by degenerates……many of its followers are scary to talk to…they remind me of mental patients allowed to walk out in public.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:04pmI guess there’s no harm (although in this case there certainly is) in being wrong. Governance has ABSOLUTELY NO moral obligation (or otherwise) to protect the life and dignity of the employed, unemployed or scurrilous methaethics Rome is peddling.
This Constitutionally Represented Elective Republic has no obligation beyond over the “PURSUIT of Happiness (property)” to its citizens.
IF Church and State should be separate, then the Church should shut it’s mouth and tend to affairs that pertain to God where they are proving more daily to be absentee landlords and themselves children of satan.
Report Post »JustJason
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:04pmMy faith grows stronger while I pray at home more often. I want Glen to interview Father Johnathon. Here is a link to his site. http://www.fatherjonathan.com/ He is on fox news often. All this needs clarification as times grow more tense.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:11pmThe Catholic Church is a joke. Father Johnathan is a good man mixed up in a deeply evil orginazation that insists Chuch membership means salvation. Total bulllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloney. Not to mention the dirty old pedophiles and piles of gold at the vatican…
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:00pmThat’s absurd! Next thing you know, the Catholic Church will be requesting that adherents wear Special Underpants.
Report Post »Alecto
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:19pmThat was in last week’s bulletin.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 4:58pmOh please .. how about the government get out of the way and let the unemployed become employed.
The Catholic Church (and other charitable organizations and those of us who support them) should provide for the poor locally and leave the government to protect us from enemies both foreign and domestic. Government is LOUSY at social work.
Report Post »AnAppealToGod
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 4:58pmJust keep that money funding abortions though……………….
Painful.
Report Post »Get off your butt and join the Marines
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:05pm@Anappealtogod — When will you get it through your skull that absolutely no federal taxpayer money is ever used for abortions! According to US law, it is illegal for federal money to be used for abortions and has been this way for a long time! Maybe if you watched or read other sources of “news” than the predominantly fictitious Fox brand of “journalistic entertainment” you might just understand the reality of what is happening in the US of A! Study after study proves that people watching Fox are either the least informed or most misinformed people on the planet!
13th Imam
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:13pmAny money that goes to PP, gets intermingled , Much like MF and Johnny Corzine. . But it Never is used for Abortions. RIGHT????
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 4:57pmObama will end the benifits right before the election. If the people are no longer getting benifits they no longer count as unemployed and then the unempolyment rate will drop like he said it would.
Report Post »SoiledDove
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:00pmThis is not at all how unemployment numbers are calculated. And unless my memory disserves me, I believe it is President Obama that supports unemployment benefits.
Report Post »11:11
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 4:55pm“We believe human dignity is undermined when citizens become passive clients living on redistributions from government bureaucracies,” Ryan wrote thank you Paul Ryan because i know that you understand the catholic church believes in social justice and preach it in the church
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:00pmThe Catholic Church .. should put up or shut up .. I remember when churches and their members provided for the poor. Seems the Catholic Church wants to turn that over to the government.
Report Post »CATPBJ
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:27pm@CATB – As a long-term lecter in my parish I can assure you that the Catholic Church is doing as much as possible to help those less fortunate and in need. Obviously some Catholic parishes have better financial abilities then others, but all I am aware of help the needy to the best of their abilities. When the country is as economically challenged as it currently is no one “area of worship” whether it be Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or other, can help all in need and in fact the federal government should chip in to help.
Maybe you do not know the US Constitution, but the constitution states that:
“…..promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 5:36pmThat “general welfare” .. is not welfare as we know it .. and you should know it .. otherwise the founders would have set that up … along with the army, etc.
Report Post »ltb
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:35pmThe General Welfare clause, or “Good and Plenty” clause as Liberals like to call it, has nothing to do with spreading the wealth. The General Welfare clause means that the federal government can’t show favoritism among the states and has to protect the liberties of every American. For example, when Obama takes tax dollars from red states and uses that money to buy votes in purple states, he is violating the General Welfare clause.
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