wfn.org | United Methodist bishops urged to oppose cut in Africa aid

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 29, 1998	Contact: Joretta Purdue*(202)546-8722*Washington
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WASHINGTON (UMNS) - A United Methodist bishop is urging his peers to
help the children of Africa by opposing cuts in U.S. foreign aid to the
continent.

In a letter to other active U.S. bishops, Washington Area Bishop Felton
E. May warned that Congress is preparing to make additional cuts in
development assistance to Africa.  Congressional budget figures for the
coming year are $1.2 billion below this year's level, representing a 20
percent to 30 percent drop in U.S. development aid to Africa, he noted.

Such a cut would preclude funding education and development initiatives,
endanger the continent's food security and cause the children of Africa
to suffer, May advised. 

"There is no need for cuts in aid to Africa at this time," May said.
"The U.S. economy is doing well, and there is a budget surplus." As a
prosperous nation, he added, U.S. citizens "cannot be selfish and seek
tax cuts while there remains so much need in the world."

Foreign aid that addresses hunger and poverty does much to promote peace
and prosperity abroad, he argued, and therefore is in the best interests
of long-term U.S. national security. 

May asked the bishops to encourage the church members in their areas to
witness faithfully to the interest and work of the denomination in
Africa by calling, writing or visiting their senators and
representatives. He said the foreign aid legislation is expected to pass
through appropriations committees of the House and Senate in July and
come to a vote in September.

"The future of world peace may well be in our hands as we provide for
the children of Africa," he said in closing the letter.

Earlier this year, United Methodist bishops launched a "Hope for the
Children of Africa" appeal, seeking to raise  $12 million during the
next three years. They have pledged personally more than $100,000 to the
effort. Church members and other interested people can support  the
effort through the denomination's Advance program of designated giving
(Number 101000-4).

The appeal is part of a larger initiative on children and the poor
launched by the bishops in 1996.
  
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