U.S. anti-terrorism focus said to hinder work of Catholic aid groups

Published: 2006-10-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Two leaders of Catholic aid organizations warned Congress in late September that the "war on terror" is having unintended consequences on the poorest of the poor around the world. Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services, told a House International Relations subcommittee Sept. 28 that the government's narrow focus on anti-terrorism is diverting resources from long-term efforts to address the root causes of poverty and hunger, which can themselves contribute to political instability. Jesuit Father Ken Gavin, director of Jesuit Refugee Service USA, testified Sept. 27 before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee that his organization's work with refugee populations facing political or religious persecution was being compromised by a rigid interpretation of what constitutes "material support to a terrorist organization" under U.S. law.

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