Bush Creates Faith-Based Action Agency
WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 29, 01 (CWNews.com) - President George
W. Bush signed an executive order on Monday establishing a
new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives to facilitate allocation of federal social
service dollars to religious groups and charities.
Bush, answering objections concerning the separation of
church and state, said: "We will not fund the religious
activities of any group, but when people of faith provide
social services, we will not discriminate against them."
Bush also planned to unveil legislation he will propose to
Congress opening all federal grant programs to
participation by religious groups. His proposals will
also include tax incentives and liability protection to
encourage more charitable giving, aides said.
"Problems like addiction and abandonment and gang violence,
domestic violence, mental illness, and homelessness -- we
are called by conscience to respond," Bush said during
Monday's signing ceremony in the White House's Indian
Treaty Room.
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January 30, 2001
volume 12, no. 30
USA News
www.DailyCatholic.org
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