Catholics Call Out Boehner For Hurting Poor

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/national-affairs/catholics-call-out-boehner-for-hurting-poor-20110512

House Speaker John Boehner probably fancies himself a good Catholic, what with his mass-going and his hardcore views on abortion and gay rights. So he can't have enjoyed getting this letter, from 75 professors at Catholic colleges, calling his record "at variance with the church's most ancient moral teachings."

Which teachings would those be? "Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress," the letter reads. "This fundamental concern should have great urgency for Catholic policy makers. Yet, even now, you work in opposition to it.”

The letter writers especially fault Boehner for pushing a budget that cut Medicare, Medicaid, and a nutrition program for the poor, while handing tax cuts to the wealthy – policies they call "anti-life," a charge usually reserved for contemptible pro-choice types.

The letter's timing isn't accidental. Boehner is scheduled to give the commencement address on Saturday at the prestigious Catholic University of America in Washington. As the New York Times notes, the choice of graduation speakers at Catholic universities has become a touchy subject in recent years, but usually because lots of Catholic professors, bishops, and students object to liberal-leaning speakers who favor access to abortion or gay rights. (An Obama visit to Notre Dame in 2009, for instance, drew protests and picketers.)

More at the link --

was their silence regarding republican atrocities.

:kick:

so long they have championed compassion for the poor and service to the least of those among us.

Individual Catholics have often given of themselves but it seemed like the Catholic church for awhile there only cared about stopping abortion and stopping gay rights and that was about it. I felt a really important light in the world was being covered up, when they stopped preaching about helping people who have fallen on hard times, helping those who are sick or too old to work or born handicapped.

I grew up Lutheran and both the Catholics and Lutherans at that time were very strong on all the social justice issues.

I would like to see a time when both churches are once again strong on all the social justice issues.

for protesting the current wars. They are brave. Father Frank Cordaro is one of them.

being only focused on archaic parts of their doctrine.