Media CenterCRS and Catholic Partners Urge Bipartisanship in Renewed Push for U.S. COVID-19 Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(443) 955- 7125
 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, Sept. 25, 2020 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is among more than a half-dozen U.S. Catholic organizations to sign on to a letter urging Congress and the administration to pass a COVID-19 emergency funding bill that adequately addresses the growing humanitarian needs here and abroad.

“While we understand there are differences on how to proceed on the COVID-19 stimulus bill, the many needs of the present situation cry out for relief,” the letter states. “Doing nothing or delaying only ensures more people will suffer. We therefore urge you to put aside partisan politics and prioritize human life and the common good by expediting negotiations to ensure not another day is lost in providing security and hope to people in need at home and abroad.”

In addition to CRS, the letter’s signatories include The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

“Over the last six months, we have seen the devastating impact of COVID-19,” the letter states. “Families have lost loved ones in our hospitals; people are losing jobs; food insecurity has risen; staff of our respective ministries have become sick or lost their lives while bravely serving on the front lines; parishes, schools and universities have closed to keep our communities safe; and millions of people we serve around the world are falling deeper into despair.”

Since the onset of the pandemic, CRS and its partners have supported the world’s most vulnerable communities via programming that addresses disease prevention while also providing relief to those impacted by the secondary effects of the virus, such as growing food insecurity.

Since the summer, talks have all but stalled over the next emergency COVID-19 spending bill between Congress and the administration.

“As Catholics, we’re called to protect our brothers and sisters who are suffering,” said Sean Callahan, CRS’ president and CEO. “As Catholic leaders, it’s our moral responsibility to influence government responses that foster the common good of all.”

For a link to the complete letter, click here.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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