Religious leaders take stand against poverty

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of religious leaders have gathered for the annual summit of Call to Renewal, an alliance of faith-based organizations that plans to initiate a campaign to address poverty.

“Overcoming poverty is a nonpartisan issue and a bipartisan cause,” said Jim Wallis, convener of Call to Renewal, in a statement. “Churches are coming together in a way never seen before, partnering and strategizing to solve the problems of poverty.”

The organization intends to offer a moral challenge to all political candidates to sign on to a “Covenant to Overcome Poverty” and a 10-year campaign to implement it, according to the ad.

The covenant will address a “living family income” for workers, affordable housing, educational opportunities and quality health care.