Baptists among faith leaders pledging to fight hunger

Baptist leaders were among nearly 100 top officials from all major faith groups on the eve of Pope Francis’ arrival calling for a shift in national priorities to end hunger and poverty.

Faith leaders gathered Sept. 21 at an interfaith summit that is part of a larger movement in the faith community to end hunger and poverty by 2030. They committed themselves to encourage their own communities to work for the end of hunger and signed a pledge to work to change national priorities.

“We are deeply pleased to welcome Pope Francis to the United States,” the faith leaders said. “The Pope has repeatedly urged people around the world to address the problems that contribute to the persistence of hunger and poverty. He has called us all to pray and work to end hunger. We trust that he will summon our nation to end the hunger in our midst and support global efforts to overcome hunger.”

‘Deeply engaged’

The leaders’ pledge reads in part, “U.S. faith communities are deeply engaged with many sisters and brothers who struggle with hunger and poverty, and we have become increasingly active in urging our nation’s elected leaders to do their part — defending low-income people in the national budget debate, for example. Our experience of God’s mercy and compassion for all people moves us to engage in God’s work of overcoming hunger and human misery, and our sacred traditions include visions of the world transformed.” (BNG)