Sister Simone Campbell at the DNC On Wednesday, the Nuns on the Bus arrived at the Democratic National Convention and one of them, Sister Simone Campbell, stood on the podium to remind those with ears to hear that the Romney/Ryan budget “failed a moral test,” echoing the statement of the United States bishops.
Sister Simone, executive director of NETWORK, and a group of sisters traveled through nine states, spreading their message of concern about the budget adopted by the Republican party, a budget that would cause great harm to those most vulnerable in our country by cutting funding to programs that provide help to those who need it.
In light of the difficulties between the US Catholic Bishops and the members of the Leadership Council of Women Religious, some might have been surprised to hear Sister Campbell align herself with the bishops at the beginning of her remarks. However, on the issue of the Romney/Ryan budget, they agree. As Sister Campbell explained, despite Congressman Ryan’s claim that “his budget reflects the principles of our shared Catholic faith,” it would hurt those who live in poverty.
She shared poignant stories of individuals she met while on the bus tour: two young boys trying to care for a sick mother, a woman who died of cancer when loss of her job meant loss of health care, a man who depends on food stamps to help feed his family since his employer reduced his hours.
“I am my sister’s keeper. I am my brother’s keeper,” she said.
“Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.” Those are Jesus’ words.
As election day approaches, people of faith, no matter the denomination, have much to consider, including the implications of adoption of the Republican budget that includes huge tax cuts for the wealthiest, repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and budget cuts in programs like food stamps.
You can watch a video of Sister Campbell’s remarks here or read the text here. The Catholic News Service April 19, 2012 article, “Letters to Congress: USCCB opposes proposed cuts in services to poor”can be read here.
While thinking them over, you might also think about what is happening in New York, the home turf of another Catholic speaker at the DNC, Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan, president of the USCCB. Despite saying he was not endorsing any candidate while he prayed at both conventions, in his archdiocese, a parish priest reprinted a letter written by six former US ambassadors to the Vatican, encouraging “… our fellow Catholics, and indeed all people of good will, to join with us in this full-hearted effort to elect Governor Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States.”
A petition is making its way around the Internet, asking the archbishop to instruct the priests in his archdiocese to refrain from putting such partisan material in their bulletins. I hope Dolan heeds its message and holds the priests to USCCB’s standard of not endorsing either candidate or party as stated in their booklet, “Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility”
“Our Church does not offer contributions or endorsements. Instead, we raise a series of questions, seeking to help lift up the moral and human dimensions of the choices facing voters and candidates.”
I am reminded of another person Sister Campbell met while on the bus tour. A thirty-something woman, who felt isolated by the political polarization in her community, asked for names of people she might contact. She longs for people to listen to one another rather than yell. Sister Campbell reassured her that she is not alone.
I know that is true, but the campaign has already been full of vicious attacks and promises to become uglier. Church leaders should be busy about articulating the values that are the foundation of our faith, and trust in the goodness and good sense of the faithful to discern the truth and vote their conscience.
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