1 Comment

Joe DeVet
May 9th, 2012 | 2:15 pm

The Emily Stimpson article is worth reading in full. It’s a good antidote to the assumption that Catholic social justice requires ever more socialistic spending at the highest levels of government. Simple prudence (a virtue which Catholics traditionally hold dear) tells us not to adhere to costly programs which don’t work, and especially don’t save anyone’s souls. Which is the case with the faux charity of today’s federal welfare programs.

However, based on the USCCB’s presentations of social teachings, one could be excused for thinking that these teachings require more and more socialism. Note the perfectly shameful critique from a bishop, speaking for the USCCB, of the Paul Ryan budget proposal. Such small steps toward fiscal responsibility are condemned as morally unacceptable. However, the bishops have not explained why, when each newborn in our society starts life with a federal debt of about $50k, it is morally right to keep adding to that debt each day of this new citizen’s life.