Cuts put Church and Trump on collision course

Donald Trump’s administration and leading Catholic organisations are on a collision course over the president’s budget, writes Michael Sean Winters.

“The proposed sharp increases in defence and immigration-enforcement spending, coupled with severe reductions to non-defence spending for the poor, are profoundly troubling,” said Bishop Frank Dewane, chairman of the bishops’ conference committee on domestic justice.

Sr Donna Markham, OP, president of Catholic Charities USA, stated: “While CCUSA supports efforts to improve vital safety-net programmes needed to move people out of poverty and protect life, the disastrous … cruel cuts to anti-poverty programmes, Medicaid and jobs training will have a devastating effect on millions of vulnerable individuals and families who depend on them.”