As part of the Catholic Cares Coalition, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined other Catholic organizations in sending the following letter to Congressional leadership urging them to prioritize funding for global access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments.
May 10, 2022
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McCarthy, Minority Leader McConnell, Chairwoman DeLauro, Chairman Leahy, Vice Chairman Shelby, and Ranking Member Granger:
We are members of the Catholic Cares Coalition, a national coalition of 60 Catholic religious and non-profit organizations promoting COVID-19 vaccination in our communities and working to address COVID-19 vaccine and treatment equity in the U.S. and around the world. As you discuss a supplemental funding bill, we urge you to prioritize funding for ongoing domestic and international COVID-19 needs.
As our country begins to move towards a new state of “normal” we recognize the blessings that we have received thanks to your leadership in providing a robust response to meet the ongoing needs of communities affected by COVID-19 over the last two years. The investments in vaccines and therapeutics have truly been investments in people and lives saved. However, we must recognize that new variants and immunity levels will continue to evolve in the coming weeks and months. It is therefore critical that we provide funding which allows the United States to respond to these needs while at the same time continuing to fulfill our promises to assist those around the world.
We therefore urge you to provide at least $10 billion in domestic funding and $5 billion in international funds for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, therapeutics and delivery system strengthening. Previously appropriated funds to address the global pandemic have been exhausted, yet there is a need to fulfill our promises and save lives here and around the world. By ensuring current vaccine, testing and therapeutic supplies are maintained in the U.S. and made more accessible around the world, we can maximize protection for all of us in a globalized world, and we can ensure a timely response by health professionals as new variants or needs emerge in the coming months.
As Catholic organizations responding to the health, education, social service, and spiritual needs of our country, we recognize the incredible toll COVID-19 has had on our communities and families. Now is the time to ensure that this progress is maintained, and we are prepared to fulfill our promises to deliver vaccines and therapeutics to those in need around the world and maintain our own preparedness for future needs. We urge you to build on this progress by coming together in unity to pass a supplemental appropriations bill which supports a robust domestic and global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sincerely,
Association of US Catholic Priests
Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Catholic Health Association of the United States
Catholic Relief Services
Christian Brothers Conference
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces Diocese of Davenport
Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions
Franciscan Action Network
Friends in Solidarity, Inc. (with South Sudan)
Jesuit Conference Office of Justice & Ecology
Jesuit Refugee Service USA
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Maryknoll Lay Missioners
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Catholic Educational Association
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team
SOAR! Support Our Aging Religious
United States Catholic Mission Association
Zomi Catholic Community Portland
Image available on Unsplash