UPDATE: Episcopal Public Policy Network urges Congress to stop playing politics. Sign their letter.
Thirty-three faith leaders (including the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori) have denounced the antics of the Republicans in Congress who are about cut off pay for government workers, cripple the U.S. and damage the economy. Bread for the World website has their letter:
Washington, DC, September 30, 2013
On the eve of a possible shutdown of the U.S. government, religious leaders denounced the political brinkmanship prevailing in Congress today.
“Shutting down the government will do real damage,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, speaking at a press conference today. “Risking our nation’s creditworthiness will do even more damage. Most clearly, the disruption and uncertainty will put the brakes on our economy.”
Unless our nation’s leaders come to an agreement on appropriations for the coming months, the U.S. government will close on Oct. 1, the start of the 2014 fiscal year. If no agreement is reached by Oct. 17 on increasing the debt limit, the country’s creditworthiness will be compromised.
In a letter released today, 33 faith leaders urged members of Congress to keep the government open. The letter states:
“Our democracy rests on principles of reason, compromise, and a commitment to the common good. To hold our governance processes and financial credibility hostage to narrow priorities is not only dangerous to the nation’s near term financial being, it threatens the very foundations of our democratic process and our capacity to live united. We ask that congressional leadership of both parties stand strong in opposing efforts to allow the will of the few to threaten the common good.”
The entire letter is below:
September 27, 2013
Dear Senator/Representative:
As leaders of faith communities and organizations comprising millions of people from all walks of life across our nation, we are deeply concerned by the completely avoidable budget and financial crises we are fast approaching as a nation.
Though Congress must pass the federal budget, it belongs to every American. This common fund formed of our combined tax revenues is designed to support the shared infrastructure, well-being, and long-term ethical values of our society. As people of faith we find it morally irresponsible to blockade the process by which we provide for our nation’s shared needs in a bid to force any individual legislative priority.
It would likewise be reckless to propel the United States into financial default by refusing to raise the debt ceiling for spending that Congress has already approved. Shuttering the federal government or defaulting on the nation’s financial commitments is likely to reverse our fragile economic recovery, punish the middle class, and deeply harm our most vulnerable neighbors.
Our democracy rests on principles of reason, compromise, and a commitment to the common good. To hold our governance processes and financial credibility hostage to narrow priorities is not only dangerous to the nation’s near-term financial well-being, it threatens the very foundations of our democratic process and our capacity to live united in community.
We ask that lawmakers address their concerns through the proper legislative channels. It ill serves our nation and people to stand in the way of funding federal operations or raising the debt ceiling in an effort to block implementation of health care legislation that Congress duly enacted. We ask that congressional leadership of both parties stand strong in opposing efforts to allow the will of the few to threaten the common good.
We commit to keeping you in prayer, asking that God continue to give you wisdom as you faithfully serve our nation during this time when the country most needs your principled leadership.
Sincerely,
Ruth Messinger
President
American Jewish World Service
Dr. Lester A. Myers President
Center of Concern
Rev. John L. McCullough President and CEO Church World Service
The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Rev. David Beckmann President
Bread for the World
Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Dr. Jack Sullivan
President
Disciples Justice Action Network
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Linda Hanna Walling Executive Director
Faithful Reform in Health Care
Diane Randall
Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Dr. Sayyid Syeed
National Director
Islamic Society of North America
Sr. Janet Mock, CSJ
Executive Director
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Salam Al-Marayati
President
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Jack Payden-Travers
Director
National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund
Nancy Kaufman
Chief Executive Officer
National Council of Jewish Women
Sr. Patricia Chappell Executive Director Pax Christi USA
Rev. Kip B. Banks
Interim General Secretary
Progressive National Baptist Convention
Sr. Patricia McDermott, RSM
President of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Rev. Peter Morales
President
Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President and
Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo
Executive Minister, Justice and Witness Ministries United Church of Christ
Sr. Margaret Magee, OSF President
Franciscan Action Network
Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy President
Interfaith Alliance
Rabbi Steve Gutow
President
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Fr. Tim Mulroy, SSC
U S. Regional Director
Missionary Society of St. Columban
Sr. Gayle Lwanga Crumbley, RGS
National Coordinator
National Advocacy Center of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
Peg Birk
Transitional General Secretary National Council of Churches
Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS
Executive Director
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Rabbi David Saperstein
Director
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Rev. Jim Wallis President Sojourners
Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz
President
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Bishop Peter D. Weaver
Executive Secretary, The Council of Bishops The United Methodist Church
Shan Cretin
General Secretary
American Friends Service Committee