Florida Catholic | Social Ministers Head To D.C. For Conference, Lobbying

Social ministers head to D.C. for conference, lobbying

DEBORAH STAFFORD SHEARER | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 03.14.08

At a national gathering in late February, Catholics from dioceses across the country migrated to Washington to attend the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. More than a conference on ministry, this annual event inspires the laity to act on the baptismal call to transform ourselves and the world by bringing “good news” to the poor and powerless, offering hope to those burdened by unjust social structures, and providing opportunities to envision a society that protects our weakest members and promotes the common good.

With more than 700 attendees, 18 from the Florida delegation alone, representing 44 states, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering educated participants on the social mission of the church and the responsibility we as believers, leaders and advocates have to be a powerful voice for change, especially during this election year. Issues of most concern included global and domestic poverty. More than 36 million people, or 12 percent of the population, live in poverty in the United States. New opportunities for trade and Third World debt relief policies were just part of an overall strategy that was discussed. The recently passed Global Poverty Act (H.R. 1302) is one step toward a comprehensive plan to reduce poverty and disease.

Affordable housing is becoming more of a crisis, exacerbated by the subprime mortgage lending debacle. Legislative briefings offered Catholic delegates insights into policies that propose ways to invest in and increase the availability of housing and to assist low-income families who are in jeopardy of losing their homes.

Other topics addressed included: challenges to U.S. policy in the Middle East; immigration reform that is more than just enforcement in scope, but supports security and humanitarian aid as well; health care reform that offers a continuum of care from the unborn to the at-risk elderly and is promoted as a basic human right; solidarity with Africa and options for peace in the violence-torn Sudan; and environmental stewardship as a moral obligation of everyone who inhabits the planet. After one intensive day of advocacy with senators and representatives, delegates were rewarded with the approval of a bipartisan bill that authorizes up to $50 billion for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The bill included several suggestions to improve the legislation brought to the attention of Congress by the Catholic delegates.

Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida met with the Florida delegation and commented on how the Catholic Church has always been a visible sign for the immigrant and the powerless, citing himself and his integration into the Florida Catholic community as a child from Cuba. He, along with other legislators, expressed their thanks to the Catholic tradition that has helped to shape the debate on issues around the principles of faith.

“Participation in political life in light of fundamental moral principles is an essential duty for every Catholic and all people of good will,” the U.S. bishops reminded us in “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility,” published in 2007. More than just a duty, advocacy on behalf of justice is absolutely essential to living the Gospel.

Now more than ever the values of our faith must guide the political discussion in an effort to protect the dignity and rights of every human person. Those who convened at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering this year found that living out our Catholic faith has taken on a new sense of moral urgency.

Stafford Shearer is the director of the Diocese of Orlando’s Office of Advocacy and Justice.

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