Vatican charity says Trump administration's gutting of USAID is 'reckless' and could kill millions
apnews.com
Caritas warned that millions of people will die as a result of the U.S. decision to stop USAID funding, and hundreds of millions more will be condemned to “dehumanizing poverty.”

Summary

The Vatican’s Caritas Internationalis condemned the Trump administration’s decision to halt USAID funding, warning it will cause millions of deaths and widespread poverty.

Cardinal Michael Czerny criticized the move as “reckless” and urged the U.S. to uphold Christian values of aid and compassion.

The cuts impact Catholic Relief Services and other humanitarian programs, jeopardizing decades of progress.

Czerny also denounced Trump’s immigration crackdown. U.S. Catholic bishops issued a rare rebuke, calling Trump’s policies on aid, immigration, and justice harmful to the vulnerable.

  • nocturne@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    I grew up in a small Catholic town in NM. Everyone here is Catholic, even non Catholics have taken up Catholic traditions. So much so that when I left home I thought all of those things were normal American traditions, having no idea they were rooted in Catholicism.

    • Drusas@fedia.io
      2·
      15 hours ago

      Somewhat similar for me, having grown up in New Jersey. I was one of the only Protestants I knew; everybody else was Catholic or Jewish. I remember learning that it was a big deal at the time that JFK was Catholic and I was shocked because I thought most Americans were Catholic.

      • nocturne@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        14 hours ago

        Fish on Fridays. All of the school cafeterias here only served fish. Many restaurants did not serve meat either.

        We had fiestas at the Catholic Church in late summer. The whole town would get together for the celebration. (This I learned was a town tradition, and not specially a Catholic thing, it was hosted by the Catholic Church though).

        Performing Las Pastorelas in school, and on the city’s plaza at Christmas time.

        Giving up something for lent. I thought this was a tradition like New Year’s resolutions.

        • Ben Hur Horse Race@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          4 hours ago

          hah! fun.

          yes, I find the christians are pretty good at taking things over. so it makes sense they inserted themselves into the fiestas to control them.

          like the winter solstice jesus’ birthday summer solstice the feast of st jean the babtist, spring equinox jesus’ resurrection, samhain/harvest all hallowed’s eve, birth baptism, love church wedding, death funeral mass,