The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Jubilee USA are urging President Trump to address global debt relief during the 2025 Jubilee Year. They sent a letter advocating for global debt relief initiatives, highlighting the potential to strengthen U.S. leadership and benefit the economy. The organizations emphasize the importance of alleviating the debt burdens of developing countries, which aligns with the Jubilee tradition of debt cancellation and social justice. Millions in developing nations face hunger and poverty due to spending over 40% of their revenue on debt payments.
2 months ago
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Jubilee USA Network have jointly appealed to President Donald Trump to actively pursue global debt relief initiatives 1. This appeal aligns with the "Turn Debt into Hope" campaign, which commenced in early 2025 1. The campaign echoes St. John Paul II’s Jubilee 2000 mission, which advocated for debt relief for the world’s poorest nations 1.
Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Eric LeCompte, executive director at Jubilee USA Network, co-signed the letter to President Trump 1. The letter urges President Trump to "build on the successes" of previous debt relief initiatives 1. They also referenced Pope Francis' call for international debt forgiveness between wealthier and developing nations 1.
The USCCB and Jubilee USA argue that debt relief serves both developing countries and the United States 1. They claim that debt relief and restructuring are effective economic and security policies 1. The letter states that developing nations spend an average of over 40% of their revenue on debt payments, while hundreds of millions face hunger and extreme poverty 1. Suspending debt payments while developing debt reduction schemes could significantly benefit both the poorest and middle-income countries 1. The organizations believe that the US can show global leadership through debt relief and financial reform, which would foster global stability and enhance America's trade partnerships 1.
The Church teaches about just economic order and debt.
Catholic social teaching emphasizes the importance of contributing to the common good and promoting justice within society . This teaching stems from the Gospel's call to love one's neighbor, which includes addressing the causes of poverty and destitution . The Church recognizes that economic and financial issues are deeply connected to human dignity and the acceptance of the Gospel .
The Church acknowledges the ethical dimensions of economic problems, especially those affecting the poor . It advocates for a fair and supportive economy that upholds the dignity of work and promotes an integral ecology . The Church's social doctrine calls for a commitment to justice, peace, and care for the common home, influencing the construction of a more just and compassionate world .
Debt relief aligns with the Church's concern for the poor and its teaching that private property has a social obligation . Pope John Paul II emphasized the Church's role in promoting justice and the spirit of brotherhood to build genuine peace among peoples . The USCCB and Jubilee USA's appeal for debt relief reflects the Church's broader mission of advocating for a social order that respects human dignity and serves the common good . The Church believes that internal and international peace can only be ensured through a social and economic system based on justice .