War and Peace
The church has set conditions for a just war which were not considered in the runup to the war of choice in Iraq . Both the Pope, personally and consistently, and the U.S. bishops opposed this war. They strongly urgedinternational approaches and advocated that the United Nations play a key role in resolving the conflict.
- On March 22, 2003 Pope John Paul II said “When war threatens humanity’s destiny, as it does now in Iraq, it is even more urgent for us to proclaim with a loud and decisive voice that peace is the only way to build a more just and caring society. Violence and arms can never solve human problems.”
- On January 12, 2004 , in an address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, the Pope further stated that “It is more urgent than ever to return to a more effective collective security that gives the United Nations Organization its proper place and role.”
Meeting Human Needs
In addition to the 25 th chapter of Matthew’s gospel which unequivocally advocates care for the least among us, U.S. Catholics are guided by their bishops who write: “Our faith reflects God’s special concern for the poor and vulnerable and calls us to make their needs our first priority in public life.” The bishops support “policies that create jobs for all who can work” with “pay which reflects a living wage,” and the right of workers to organize in unions.
- Since 2000 poverty in the United States has increased by 4.3 million people. The increase is concentrated among children; 13 million U.S. children now live in poverty. (Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 8/26/04) Q Median household income fell over the past few years after adjustments for inflation with the most pronounced deterioration among minorities. Moreover, poverty increased most sharply for the poorest: the average amount by which people in this group fell below the poverty line in 2002 was $2,813 – a 23% larger gap than in 1996. ( ibid, 9/29/03) Pervasive racism intensifies these conditions for minorities.
- Wages have been stagnant , attempts to increase the minimum wage are stalled in the U.S. Congress and unemployment benefits are more limited than in prior recessions. Actual job loss or fear of job loss is widespread.
- Federal tax cuts which largely benefited the wealthy, and other budget priorities, have spent the nation into such a deficit position that it is virtually impossible for the country to meet the basic needs of its citizens.
Health Care
Through orders of religious women, the Catholic Church has a long history of service in health care. In their 2003 letter, Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Bishops said "affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life, a fundamental human right and an urgent national priority. We need to reform the nation's health care system, and this reform must be rooted in values that respect human dignity, protect human life, and meet the needs of the poor and uninsured."
- In 2003, 45 million Americans had no health care coverage-an increase of 3.8 million since 2000, representing 15.6 percent of the population, the highest number since tracking began in 1987. Among working age adults (18 - 64 years of age), fully one in five were without health care.
- In the first quarter of 2004, the cost of health care increased at an annual rate of 8.2%, four times the annual rate of inflation. Health care costs the nation 15 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), more that other industrialized nations such as Switzerland, (10.9%), Germany, (10.7%) and France (9.5%), and produces poorer outcomes. In the U.S. health care providers are not held accountable for these increases.
- Much of the burden of this increased cost is being passed on to consumers by their insurers and employers, which further impacts access to necessary care of U.S. citizens.
War
and Peace