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As the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faces dissolution, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is advocating for a new direction in U.S. foreign aid influenced by Catholic values. The State Department intends to close USAID by July 1, moving some functions under its purview. However, this might result in legal challenges, as a federal judge indicated that the decision by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency potentially violates the Constitution.
CRS, an organization representing the overseas charitable arm of the Catholic Church in the U.S., is emphasizing Catholic teaching in shaping the future path of U.S. aid. Bill O'Keefe, CRS's executive vice president for Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy, highlighted the importance of maintaining technical skills and competencies originally part of USAID. "It's not clear what the next step is, and that's, I think, where we're really going to be interested," said O’Keefe.
In his testimony submitted to a House subcommittee, O'Keefe called for continued funding for global health, development, disaster relief, and migration assistance programs. He cited Pope Francis's encyclical "Fratelli Tutti," emphasizing the role of states in promoting human dignity and life, and noted Pope Benedict XVI's comments on the effectiveness of state and church cooperation in humanitarian efforts. O'Keefe expressed gratitude to lawmakers for considering "a Catholic, pro-life vision for U.S. international assistance."
Regarding the potential restructuring of foreign aid, O'Keefe remarked, "This is a time when they're kind of breaking it back down to the studs and then rebuilding from the government’s perspective." He added that while emergency relief services see some improvement, long-term developmental programs remain defunct. He underscored the connection between immediate aid and sustainable development from a Catholic viewpoint.
Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.
