One step they have taken is a letter-writing campaign to governments and proposed attendees to RIO+20, from countries where Mercy sisters work.

The Mercy letter calls on the government leaders and personnel to include ethical considerations when they are negotiating at the Rio Conference.

The letter also asks the delegates to "affirm a strong definition of sustainable development and a shared vision of ethical and spiritual values that would inspire and guide cooperative action for change."

Source

• Mercy International Association
• Image: Human Impact Institute

The catch-phrase in the Christian blogosphere has become - What would Jesus cut?

• Christians are to be found on both ideas of the debate claiming the authority of Jesus to support their opposing views. Such a diversity of opinion makes Tom Zirpoli remark that "Being a Christian in America today seems to have a whole new meaning from what I learned from the Catholic nuns."
• The United State Council of Catholic Bishops urged the House to reject a cuts-only approach to the budget. "A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons." The bishops said balancing the budget "requires shared sacrifice by all," and called for raising revenues, eliminating unneeded military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.
• The Circle of Protection say: "As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up—how it treats those Jesus called "the least of these" (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected. We know from our experience serving hungry and homeless people that these programs meet basic human needs and protect the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable. We believe that God is calling us to pray, fast, give alms, and to speak out for justice.
• Christians for a Sustainable economy say: "What would Jesus cut?" We add the question, "Whom would Jesus indebt?" The Good Samaritan did not use a government credit card. "We believe the poor of this generation and generations to come are best served by policies that promote economic freedom and growth, that encourage productivity and creativity in every able person, and that wisely steward our common resources for generations to come. All Americans - especially the poor - are best served by sustainable economic policies for a free and flourishing society."