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WASHINGTON (October 24, 2005)—In an unprecedented joint letter, the
Chairman of the Bishops’ Hurricane Relief Task Force and the Chairman of
their Domestic Policy Committee urged Congress to put aside differences
and work in a bipartisan spirit of mutual commitment to a revitalized
Gulf Coast, with a special priority for the poor.
“The waters of Katrina and Rita have receded, leaving our country and
the Congress to face the urgent and enormous national task of recovery
and rebuilding,” they wrote. “How we meet this challenge will be a test
and an important sign of what kind of a nation we are and wish to be.”
The bishops said they will oppose “any effort to pay for the costs of
Katrina and Rita by cutting services in essential programs that serve
the basic needs of low-income or vulnerable people.”
They also expressed deep concern about “sweeping efforts to ignore or
set aside federal wage, environmental and civil rights protections.”
The letter to Congress was sent October 19 by Archbishop Joseph A.
Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, Chairman, Hurricane Relief Task Force,
and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, Chairman, Domestic Policy
Committee.
At a time when Congress is making funding decisions and policy choices
in rebuilding the Gulf Coast, the bishops said they wanted to emphasize
several points based on a recent statement of the Administrative
Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“The needs of the poor and most vulnerable must have first claim on our
common efforts,” they said. “The poor and vulnerable cannot be left
behind again. Each step of the way, the response to this disaster and
plans for future recovery must be judged by how they touch the lives of
‘the least among us’” (Mt. 25). The statement also warned that “It would
be wrong to cut essential food, housing and health care for the poor
while the rest of us make no real sacrifice and, in fact, benefit from
recent tax cuts.” The bishops state that they will “oppose any effort to
pay for the costs of Katrina and Rita by cutting services in essential
programs that serve the basic needs of low-income or vulnerable people.”
The USCCB Administrative Committee issued the statement “Hurricane
Katrina: Reaching Out, Renewal and Recovery in Faith and Solidarity,”
and appointed the task force chaired by Archbishop Fiorenza, on
September 14.
The full text of the October 19 letter of Archbishop Fiorenza and Bishop
DiMarzio is below.
October 19, 2005
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
The waters of Katrina and Rita have receded, leaving our country and the
Congress to face the urgent and enormous national task of recovery and
rebuilding. How we meet this challenge will be a test and an important
sign of what kind of a nation we are and wish to be.
The Catholic community is both a victim of the destructive power of the
hurricanes and active in providing emergency response and continuing
assistance. Our dioceses and parishes in the Gulf Coast are overwhelmed
by the destruction of churches, schools, and other facilities that house
and support our ministries to the sick, the poor, and the vulnerable.
These same dioceses and parishes, along with Catholic Charities agencies
and Catholic healthcare facilities, have joined with other government
and charitable agencies to bring assistance in the form of medical care,
food, water, temporary shelter, and social services to the many whose
lives have been upended and overwhelmed by Katrina. But the efforts of
those motivated by compassion and charity in responding to the
hurricanes’ devastation, while essential, cannot take the place of a
strong federal commitment to just public policies and wise public
investment. Government must play an essential role in assuring that the
basic needs of all American people, including these affected by the
hurricanes, are met.
As you make funding decisions and policy choices in rebuilding the Gulf
Coast at this important time, we wish to emphasize several fundamental
points based on a recent statement of the bishops’ Administrative
Committee:
1. The needs of the poor and most vulnerable must have first claim on
our common efforts. The poor and vulnerable cannot be left behind again.
Each step of the way, the response to this disaster and plans for future
recovery must be judged by how they touch the lives of “the least among
us.” (Mt. 25)
Our nation cannot assist the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by
reducing essential help for the poor and vulnerable elsewhere in our
nation. The costs of recovery should not be borne disproportionately by
those most in need. It would be wrong to cut essential food, housing and
health care for the poor while the rest of us make no real sacrifice
and, in fact, benefit from recent tax cuts. We call upon you to make a
commitment that the needs of hurricane victims will be readily met,
through benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid and housing, without
harming or taking benefits from other poor and vulnerable people who
depend on them as well. We will oppose any effort to pay for the costs
of Katrina and Rita by cutting services in essential programs that serve
the basic needs of low-income or vulnerable people.
2. Those most affected should have a meaningful role in the decisions
being made about their families and their homes, and clear and effective
ways to participate in recovery and rebuilding. Planning for the future
must include those with the most at stake. For example, the work to be
done in rebuilding should offer decent jobs at decent wages for those
who have lost work and opportunity.
3. Our nation has many responsibilities and priorities at home and
abroad. Our country is a nation at war, it faces large deficits, and now
must rebuild after the worst natural disaster to hit us. To meet these
demands, spending and tax policies, existing or proposed, must be
reviewed in light of our shared obligation to the most vulnerable,
wherever they are. Adequate federal resources must be available to help
protect the life and dignity of all our sisters and brothers. The
burdens and costs of these challenges must be shared widely and fairly.
(The full statement of the Administrative Committee is enclosed for your
information.)
In addition, while we are rebuilding our own communities we must
maintain our commitment to providing essential assistance to these
suffering deprivation and destruction in other countries. When observers
note in amazement that the Gulf Coast looked “like a Third World
country,” we are challenged to remember how most of the world lives and
called to solidarity with those outside our national borders, as well.
Finally, we are also deeply concerned about sweeping efforts to ignore
or set aside federal wage, environmental and civil rights protections.
We hope Congress can put aside differences and work in a bipartisan
spirit of mutual commitment to the common good, to plan for the
rebuilding of healthy, thriving communities in a revitalized Gulf Coast.
The human loss and ongoing costs of these horrible storms have touched
us all. Our common response and our care for the most affected and the
most vulnerable will test us all.
Be assured you have our ongoing help and prayers as you face the
responsibility before you.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D.,
D.D.
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston Bishop of Brooklyn
Chairman, Hurricane Relief Task Force Chairman, Domestic Policy
Committee
Hurricane Katrina:
Reaching Out, Renewal and Recovery in Faith and Solidarity
A Statement of the Administrative Committee
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
September 14, 2005
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
A terrible storm and its horrible aftermath have destroyed lives and
homes, torn apart families and communities, damaged our nation and God’s
creation. Katrina wounded and devastated millions of our sisters and
brothers along the Gulf Coast and in and around New Orleans and Biloxi.
This hurricane has also touched and now tests the rest of us. It tests
our faith, our capacity to help and our vision of what kind of nation we
are and wish to be.
Our hearts and prayers go out once again to all those whose lives, homes
and families have been damaged or destroyed by Katrina. Within the
Catholic community, many of our people have lost everything and our
Church has lost parishes and schools, hospitals and charitable
ministries, and many of the structures which help us preach the Gospel,
educate the young and serve the vulnerable. The loss of these
institutions affects not only our Church, but is a significant loss for
the entire community.
In a particular way, we extend our personal and ecclesial support to our
brother bishops called to lead the Church on the Gulf Coast in these
trying days. We also express our gratitude, respect and admiration to
all the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay leaders who are
bringing the helping hand and sustaining words of Jesus Christ to those
who have lost so much.
As powerful as the winds and water of Katrina have been, our ongoing
care and help, our practice of charity and search for justice must
become more powerful. The hurricane and the flood came and went in a
matter of hours and days. Our support, compassion, and commitment to
help make things right must last far longer – not days, but months and
years.
In light of the overwhelming extent of the damage and loss, the enormous
generosity of the Catholic community and the enduring, long-term
requirements for recovery, we are establishing a new Task Force to
Coordinate the Catholic Response to Katrina. This unprecedented Task
Force of bishops and leaders of the Catholic organizations already
deeply involved in the ongoing effort will work under the leadership of
Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston. It will build on what
is already being done and seek to:
--support the many efforts of the affected dioceses.
--encourage a sustained response from the Catholic community.
--coordinate the many diverse efforts in order to increase
effectiveness, assure accountability and eliminate duplication.
--examine the future moral and policy implications of this disaster for
the Church and society.
The Catholic Community’s Response
Beyond the heroic efforts of the local Church in the region to respond
to the human needs of all those suffering after Hurricane Katrina, the
Catholic community nationwide has already responded in so many ways to
the horror and heartbreak we have seen.
* We are praying every day for those who have died and who are
struggling to live in the aftermath of the hurricane.
* Pope Benedict XVI immediately offered special prayers for the victims
and relief workers and sent a personal envoy to visit the people
struggling to rebuild their lives. Catholic leaders from around the
world have also expressed concern and solidarity.
* Millions of Catholics nationwide have responded with generous
donations.
* Catholic Charities USA and other national Catholic groups have
mobilized to collect donations, respond to critical needs, and help
relocate those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
* Dioceses throughout the country have mobilized thousands of
volunteers, held countless collections of money and goods, and provided
extensive relocation assistance.
* United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offices, religious
communities and many other groups have offered help with relief and
relocation assistance.
* Catholic Extension will help reconstruct parishes, schools and other
Church facilities damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
* Catholic colleges, seminaries, high schools, and elementary schools
nationwide have generously opened their doors to students and teachers
who have been displaced by the storm.
As we care for and stand with our sisters and brothers along the Gulf
Coast, we cannot forget that the lives and dignity of many others are
threatened around our world by the powerful winds of hunger and disease
and the flood of deprivation and despair. Responding to this catastrophe
should open our eyes and hearts to other human calamities which haunt
our world. When observers say in amazement “it looks like a Third World
country,” they are saying something profound not only about New Orleans,
but also something important about how most of the world lives.
A Way Forward: Catholic Social Teaching
Beyond the stunning outpouring of money, food and water, volunteers and
welcome to thousands upon thousands of displaced persons, the Catholic
community has something more to contribute to the ongoing response and
recovery. This is a set of principles, a moral framework to assess what
has happened and to guide what must be done. Along with others of every
faith and background, we offer our Catholic tradition of teaching about
the challenges we now must face together. These principles offer moral
direction and guidance for continuing response, recovery and rebuilding:
The Life and Dignity of Every Human Person: Human lives have been
destroyed and human dignity has been assaulted. At times respect for
life and dignity was lost in the midst of this disaster. Our faith and
what we have seen call us to insist that every aspect of recovery, every
plan for rebuilding should be measured by how it protects human life and
how it threatens or enhance the dignity of all those touched by this
catastrophe, especially the weakest and most vulnerable.
The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Our faith insists that the poor
and vulnerable should have first claim on our common efforts. They
cannot be left behind once again. We should assess this disaster, the
response, and the future recovery for how it touches the lives of the
least among us (Mt. 25). In light of what we have seen and heard, this
is a time for constructive dialogue to address how poverty and race
divide our society and challenge our nation.
Subsidiarity: Katrina demonstrates the wisdom of this traditional
principle, which specifies the appropriate responsibilities and
limitations of institutions in their common duty to protect human life
and dignity. It warns against larger institutions overwhelming smaller
ones but calls on larger institutions to act when smaller ones are
unable or unwilling. Where families cannot meet their own needs, the
larger community is called to assist them. When community institutions
cannot or will not act, local and state governments have obligations.
Where they cannot respond adequately, the national government must act
to safeguard human life, dignity and rights. The continuing and future
response should reflect these realities so the challenges ahead do not
once again overwhelm the institutions of our society.
Solidarity: Katrina is teaching us we are all members of one human
family. “Loving our neighbor” has new meaning in the aftermath of
Katrina. Wherever we live, what ever we have or don’t have, whatever our
race or background, we are all God’s children and are worthy of respect
and care.
Family, Community and Participation: The storm has torn apart families
and communities. The recovery and renewal must unite families and
restore communities, not just as physical realities, but as fundamental
moral building blocks for the future. “Participation” of those most
affected must be at the center of the recovery and planning for the
future.
Human Rights and Responsibilities: Our social tradition begins with the
right to life and extends to those rights which make life truly human –
faith and family, work and education, housing and health care. Restoring
institutions of faith, work, education and health care and providing
shelter and decent housing are not just signs of generosity; they are
required by justice.
Care for Creation: The renewal and recovery which is to come must seek
to acknowledge and repair the damage the storm and the floods have done
to God’s creation along the Gulf Coast. The recovery efforts to come
should seek to protect and safeguard that environment in the future.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers: In the aftermath of the storm,
people not only lost their homes, they lost their work and their ability
to support their families. Recovery requires more than food, water, and
a place to live, but also a chance to make a contribution, to have
decent work, wages and working conditions.
Common Good: The storm brought out the best and worst—heroic efforts of
service and abandonment of duty, sacrifice for others and evil acts of
opportunism. Renewal and recovery should not become a battle over blame,
or a contest of interests, or an opportunity for the well connected to
overwhelm the weak. After Katrina, we have all learned once again that
we are in this together and a chain is only as strong as its weakest
link.
Conclusion
For Christians, this is not just a work of humanitarian outreach. When
we help those whom this storm has ripped from their homes and
livelihoods, we are helping Jesus in our midst. We cannot be the Church
of Jesus Christ unless we reach out in persistent and powerful ways to
serve “the least of these.” (Matt. 25) Feeding the hungry, clothing the
naked, bringing drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger are not
simply acts of generosity, but acts of faith. These traditional works of
mercy are not options, but obligations for each of us and the entire
Catholic community.
For us as Catholic Bishops, Katrina is more than a terrible natural
disaster and human catastrophe. It is a test of our faith, our hope and
our love. Faith in Jesus Christ insists life conquers death,
resurrection follows crucifixion, recovery comes from suffering and hope
overcomes despair. This is a time to live out the Gospel, turn our love
into care for others, move our words into action, and practice the
solidarity we proclaim.
We take comfort in the courage and strength of those who have lived
through these terrible days. We take strength from the remarkable and
ongoing response of the Catholic community. We take hope from knowing
the Lord is with us in this time of trial and challenge:
“Had not the LORD been with us… [t]he waters would have engulfed us, the
torrent overwhelmed us; seething water would have drowned us. Blessed be
the LORD, who did not leave us….” (Psalm 124:2-6)
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