Paul Ryan Defends His Interpretation of Catholic Teachings

Last Thursday at Georgetown University, GOP congressman and chairman of the House Budget Committee, Paul Ryan (R-WI), responded to his Catholic critics. Lately, some of Ryan’s co-religionists have condemned the congressman’s attempt to apply his brand of Catholicism to the U.S. federal budget. Before the lecture, members of the Georgetown faculty sent a letter to Ryan, criticizing him for his “continuing misuseĀ of Catholic teaching to defend a budget plan that decimates food programs for struggling families, radically weakens protections for the elderly and sick, and gives more tax breaks to the wealthiest few.” Citing Pope Benedict XVI, Ryan declared that governments amassing huge debts are “living in untruth.” Ryan also called for greater “civil public dialogue” on these issues.

Read at The Washington Post

© 2011 Religion & Politics