BISHOPS BACK OBAMA ON BUDGET TALKS

In a stunning rebuke to the Republican leadership, the nation's Catholic bishops have picked sides in the on-going budget debates backing President Obama's call for a balanced plan that includes eliminating tax loopholes for special interests and the rich. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell thumbed is nose at the Bishops by rejecting any revenue increases to address the federal budget deficit.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Catholics to contact Congress and demand they give priority to poor and vulnerable persons in the negotiations to reduce the deficit.

The Bishops joined President Obama in declaring that a just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. A balanced approach requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues.

Republican leaders are rejecting this approach and the Bishop's call that Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, especially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic time.

Cardinal Wuerl Praises Catholic Health Care

As our nation moves to our long sought goal of health care for all, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, praised Providence Hospital for its 150 years of sharing Christ's healing. The Cardinal was joined at a special Mass for the Catholic Health care community with Sister Carol Keehan, President of Catholic Health Association and Democratic National Committeewoman Deborah Royster, who serves as chair of the Providence Health Foundation Board.

PAUL RYAN RUNS AWAY FROM BIBLE

Representative Paul Ryan (R), ran away from a Christian attempting to give him a Bible at the "Faith & Freedom" conference this week like a vampire from a cross. Ryan is a fan of militant atheist Ayn Rand who taught that selfishness was the highest virtue, not the teachings and passion of Christ.

Father Cletus Kiley, a Catholic priest, said that Rep. Ryan and the supporters if his budget should “drop Ayn Rand’s books and pick up" the Bible.

More on who Ayn Rand is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TxCWbTqz9s

CATHOLIC CHURCH CONDEMNS ANTI-UNION BILL IN MAINE

Diocese Calls on Maine Legislature to Vote Against "Right-to-Work (for Less)" Bill

Catholic Teaching Says Labor Rights Must be Protected

At a rally in Portland, ME of union members and other people supporting the dignity of labor, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced its official opposition to a Right-to-Work" bill that would eliminate the Union Shop in Maine.

The Rev. Mike Seavey said the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is officially opposing the bill, saying "at its core, all legislation should be about human dignity." He also referred to the attorney who has been retained by LePage to help conduct negotiations with state labor unions, who is being paid $295 an hour.

"If the administration is going to hire a negotiator from New York City at exorbitant Manhattan attorney rates, then our public employees have the ability and the right to organize themselves and present their contract expectations with mutual support," he said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbmdultcPqA

HOLY FATHER CONFERS WITH VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI received Vice-President Biden today at the Vatican. Joe Biden is the first American Vice-President of the Catholic faith. The Vice-President was in Rome to meet with the Italian government and also visited our troops at the NATO base in Naples.

The visit with the Holy Father was not an official visit but an honor given to Mr. Biden as a Catholic layman. The Holy Father presented gifts to the Vice-President and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and imparted the Apostolic Blessing on them.

Some Catholic political conservatives are criticizing the Holy Father for receiving Biden.