Catholic progressives show new solidarity in struggle over Bush's Free Trade Agreement
Progressive Catholic groups failed to defeat the Bush administration's Central
America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in the House of Representatives July 28.
But they came very close — a sign that they have gotten much more organized
to work together since the 2004 election.
At 11 p.m. July 27 the House vote on CAFTA stood at 180 against and 175 in favor. The Republican leadership then held up the vote while it called in absent members and twisted arms to flip opposition votes. Shortly after midnight, when the vote stood at 217 in favor to 215 against, they closed the vote.
NETWORK's immediate press statement compared the late-night negotiations to the wheeling and dealing on a used car lot. “How apt,” said NETWORK. “This vote was not about people; it was about big business.”
Nevertheless, Catholic voices opposing CAFTA on social justice grounds were numerous, loud and compelling. Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said that when CAFTA is viewed through the moral analysis of globalization taught by John Paul II, “it is clear the agreement does not pass muster.” He then listed 34 organizations including Pax Christi USA and numerous religious orders that opposed CAFTA on the grounds that “the poor will get poorer and the rich will get richer.”
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops neither supported nor opposed CAFTA, but enunciated social justice concerns that should guide global agreements — echoing the five principles of fair trade and investment set forth by NETWORK: respect for the dignity of individuals, care for vulnerable people, transparent negotiations, respect for governments to set their own policies, and safeguarding the environment.
The new coalition, Catholics for Faithful Citizenship said that the 56 Catholic members of Congress who voted for CAFTA “show that they do not understand basic Catholic teaching on this critical issue. By passing CAFTA these Catholic members of Congress have put at risk the lives of thousands of Central Americans,” said the group’s statement. “They have also put at risk the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Americans.”How to get involved
Learn how to get more active in promoting Catholic social justice and peace values in the public square: Visit the NETWORK website: www.networklobby.org
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