“If you were president, how would you act to fight poverty?”

Candidates for the Republican and Democratic presidential nomination are responding to a call from more than 100 Christian leaders, including CCUSA’s President and CEO, Sr. Donna Markham, to the question “What would you do as president to offer help and opportunity to hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world?”

In these short videos, each candidate explains their vision for addressing the needs of those struggling to get by, and sets forth their priorities, should they be elected, on how our nation could address the plight of those in poverty.
 

See each candidates response here:

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Cardinal O’Malley: Planned Parenthood’s Work Reflects ‘Throwaway Culture’ Decried By Pope Francis
 

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded, July 29, to recent videos showing leaders from Planned Parenthood discussing the provision of fetal organs, tissues, and body parts from their abortion clinics.

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USCCB-CCUSA Letter To Congress Regarding Fair And Just Wages

Dear Representative/Senator:

On behalf of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA, we write to lift up the struggles of low-wage workers and their families. We urge you to advance legislation and policies that would ensure fair and just wages for all workers, and in doing so improve the financial security of millions of American families.
 

Read full letter here:

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“Generosity, compassion and love are the ways that we, as Catholics, show our love for God. I’m proud that so many in our community are active in helping those in need, especially in providing families a worthy place to live.” - Bishop David Walkowiak

Pope Francis Build, a collaboration between Catholics of our diocese and Habitat for Humanity Kent County, will mark the pope's September U.S. visit in a special way. The Diocese of Grand Rapids and Catholic Charities West Michigan will both be sending teams to participate in the build.
 

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A Stronghold in Times of Trouble

Dear Friend,

Catholic Relief Services was founded as War Relief Services in 1943 initially to help refugees from the cataclysm that was World War II. The unprecedented devastation of that war left tens of millions dead and even more homeless and seeking shelter and safety. The relief and recovery efforts supported by the Catholic community in the United States lasted for years.

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USCCB Migration Chairman Applauds Court Order Requiring Administration To Release Central American Families From Detention

 

USCCB Migration Chairman Applauds Court Order Requiring Administration To Release Central American Families From Detention
WASHINGTON—The July 24 ruling by Judge Dolly Gee of the Federal District Court of California ordering the Obama administration to release from detention families fleeing violence in Central America was applauded today by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration. The administration has pursued a detention policy for these families –young mothers with children– as a means to deter other families from migrating to the United States.

READ IT HERE 


USCCB And CCUSA Urge Support Of The Second Chance Act
 

On behalf of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA, we write to urge you to support the Second Chance Act (S.1513). This legislation is an important step in addressing some of the many issues facing the more than 650,000 men, women and juveniles who reenter society each year from federal and state prisons, and local jails and detention centers every day.

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Earned Income Tax Credit Beneficial for Working Poor
 Paul A. Long, President and CEO of Michigan Catholic Conference

The Catholic Church speaks about the dignity of work, teaching that it is “a form of continuing participation in God’s creation” (USCCB, The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers). Work matters, especially to those struggling to make ends meet. One policy that has been critical to working, low-income individuals and families is the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
 

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Pope Francis announces World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

 
 (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has decided to set up a “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” which will be celebrated on September 1st annually.
He made the announcement in a letter to the heads of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.

To read more or listen to the news report,

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