“For every dollar we spend, we could have an impact of $10 or more if we speak as a Voice of the Poor,†National President Joseph Flannigan declared to fellow Vincentians during the recent Catholic Social Ministry Gathering on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. “Our strength is the strength of real people who can set the flame ablaze!â€
The following piece “Capitol Campaign”(by Lucy Howell, Voice of the Poor, Western Region Chair) was sent to famvin Nov. 19 and contains some food for thought.
Flannigan is urging all Councils of the Society to establish Voice of the Poor committees, to collaborate with like-minded groups and people, and to get engaged in the effort to reduce poverty in America. “Through the Catholic Charities USA Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America,†he noted, “we will encourage our members of Congress and elected state officials to improve programs and policies in four key issue areas: health care, affordable housing, nutrition assistance, and economic security for the poor and vulnerable.â€
Members of the Society’s Voice of the Poor joined an estimated 700 representatives from 19 Catholic organizations at the three-day conference. Now in its 15th year, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering combines briefings and workshops on poverty and social justice issues with moving liturgies.
As in the past, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops briefed Gathering participants on two domestic issues and two international issues. Thus prepared, participants ventured to Capitol Hill, where they urged their Members of Congress to oppose proposed cuts to poverty programs and support the National Housing Trust Fund (S. 2523) with its creation/rehabilitation of 1.5 million very low-income units over a ten-year period. They also lobbied for the Pregnant Women Support Act (H.R. 3192 and S. 2407) to increase access to health care, nutrition, and child care for young low-income mothers.
On the international front, participants endorsed an increase in funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and supported a change in language that would allow Catholic organizations to remain involved in this critical effort in Africa. (Catholic organizations, such as Catholic Relief Services and Caritas, provide an estimated 2 percent of international HIV/AIDS relief.) Participants also encouraged members of Congress to support the goal of achieving a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
During the Gathering, a national Voice of the Poor meeting was held with 60 Vincentians from Washington DC and 17 states in attendance. Ron Meyer (Arizona) and Paul Heidemann (Florida) explained why Voice of the Poor is critical to our Vincentian mission. Barb Slaven (Omaha) offered answers to difficult questions about Voice of the Poor. Rita Canestra (Milwaukee) led the sharing sessions. National Executive Director Roger Playwin premiered the Society’s new poverty video and announced the upcoming launch of Capwiz™, our web-based Action Alert program for social policy and advocacy. Lucy Howell, Voice of the Poor Western Region Chair, distributed a Basic VOP Workshop outline as a training tool for regional meetings.
In his own words, Vincentian Ron Meyer summed up succinctly the Gathering’s call for charity, justice, and systemic change: “Who is going to represent the poor? Who is going to speak for Mary, John, Phyllis, and all those we serve in our home visits? The Voice of the Poor will, with no political agenda and no promotion of candidates. Voice of the Poor fulfills the Vincentian mandate of giving immediate help while seeking midterm and long-term solutions.â€
Tags: Advocacy, Flannigan, SVDP, Voice of the Poor
