Bishop Pates, Carolyn Woo to Congressional Leaders: Support Proven Efforts and Responses in Fight Against Ebola

WASHINGTON—Congressional leaders should speak out in support of the on-the-ground response to the Ebola virus and tamp down reactions based on unfounded fears, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace and the president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in a

WASHINGTON—Congressional leaders should speak out in support of the on-the-ground response to the Ebola virus and tamp down reactions based on unfounded fears, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace and the president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in a November 6 letter to Senators Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner and Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, and Carolyn Woo shared how CRS has rapidly expanded is programs in countries affected by Ebola, allowing them to train health workers, ensure safe and dignified burials, development and implement campaigns for prevention awareness, maintain local Catholic health institutions and provide food to those in need.

They highlighted how Congress can support these efforts:

“Morally and practically, we cannot completely wall ourselves off from this disease,” they wrote. “Only by caring for and treating those infected by the disease where it is now running rampant, can we be safer here at home. With prudent measures to protect U.S. public health, it is important to make it possible for badly needed health and other workers to go to West Africa in order stop the crisis at its source and ultimately to protect our own people.”

The full text of the letter is available online: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/africa/upload/CRS-USCCB-Letter-to-Congressional-Leaders-on-Ebola-2014-11-06.pdf
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Keywords: Bishop Richard E. Pates, Carolynn Woo, International Justice and Peace, Catholic Relief Services, CRS, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ebola,

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