Catholic Charities USA officials urge government to do more for poor

Published: 2007-11-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Just last year, Catholic Charities agencies across the country provided services for one out of every 10 people living in poverty. Although the agencies are proud of the work they do, they would like to see that number of people in need decrease. But that is not going to happen, according to Catholic Charities officials, until the federal government steps up its efforts to help the country's poor. "The federal government must do its part" because "we can't continue to provide at this level," said Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA during a Nov. 15 press conference in Washington where a report titled "Poverty in America: Beyond the Numbers" was released. What the report shows about services provided to the poor is "impressive, but alarming," said Father Snyder. He described the current state of poverty in the United States as both "unacceptable" and a "moral crisis." The report, based on a 2006 survey of local agencies, provides a state-by-state look at the types of services local Catholic Charities agencies provide.

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