May 17, 2007
[Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and four leaders of Protestant denominations wrote to the U. S. Congress May 10 to urge budget negotiators to preserve important investments in federal domestic and international programs that fight poverty and disease at home and around the globe.
On May 16, House and Senate negotiators announced that it they had reached agreement on the Fiscal Year 2008 federal budget that funds the government and programs that touch the lives of nearly every American.
The letter was signed by Jefferts Schori and the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Bishop Beverly Shamana, President of the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society and the Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ.
The letter was part of an effort begun in 2005 by the leaders of these five denominations out of concern for how and where federal resources are spent. Previous letters have addressed Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, funding for Food Stamps and housing, as well as Millennium Development Goals-related programs such as international family planning.
In this year's letter, the leaders wrote, "We are reminded in the Gospel of Luke that 'from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.' (Luke 12:48)"
"The United States is a nation of great wealth and resources and, indeed, much is expected of us individually, as communities of faith and as a nation," their letter notes. "Our denominations continue to do ministry in the areas of our historic Christian calling -- working for reconciliation and serving those most vulnerable in our world."
The denominational leaders urged Congress to restore funds to human-needs programs and continue a national commitment to fight against deadly poverty and disease abroad.
At press time, complete details of the conference committee's agreement announced by congressional leaders May 16 were not available.
The full text of the letter can be found here
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