Obama Meets With Cardinal Francis George, America's Top Bishop

Relying on the politics of division has accompanied an increasing gap between rich and poor, a terrible economic crisis, and has offered no solution to the millions of people who go without health care coverage. But in the Catholic social tradition, the notion of the common good has specific demands and transcends partisanship. The government’s role is to serve the common good—not just the interests of a select few. I think the meeting of the President of the United States and The President of the USCCB is a step in that direction. The common good requires public policies that build a just and stable economy, and that meet basic human needs. America is hurting. I personally am grateful to a President and a Cardinal willing to meet and helping us move beyond division into effective policies that build a true culture of the common good. But more needs to be done to expand the dialog and to assist in the education of Catholics about the common good. One way to truly uphold the value of life, is that we need to work at ways to reduce abortions and pay attention to the economic reasons that remain core to abortion. It is imperative we not just say we value life with mere words but with viable actions. When was the last time you reached out to a woman living in poverty?

Sister Sharon of DC 9:34AM March 20, 2009