Liz Truss, Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Women & Equalities. / Ian Davidson/Shutterstock
Denver Newsroom, Sep 6, 2022 / 17:00 pm (CNA).
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, in a welcoming message to new British Prime Minister Liz Truss, pledged his prayers and the Church’s help for addressing several issues, especially the rising cost of living.
As the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Nichols stated, “I desire to assure the prime minister of my spiritual support.” Her appointment comes at a time when numerous crises must be addressed domestically and internationally.
Truss, 47, follows the conservative Boris Johnson as prime minister. Queen Elizabeth II formally appointed her on September 6, after she won the Conservative Party leadership election. Truss defeated Rishi Sunak with around 81,000 votes, or 57% of party voters, to win.
She has offered up to $34.5 billion in tax cuts for emergency budget legislation, arguing that this will stimulate economic growth and prevent a recession. These reductions include a temporary suspension of environmental charges on energy bills and the cancellation of a corporation tax increase.
In April, annual home energy bills increased by a record 54%. The British energy regulator predicted a further 80% price hike last month. This results in an increase in annual expenses from $2,332 to $4,089. According to the Associated Press, prices might reach over $4,600 in January.
The large increase is a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has led natural gas prices in Europe to skyrocket. Consequently, the cost of natural gas-powered heating and electricity increases.
In his speech, Nichols identified the rising cost of living as a major problem. He stated that because Catholics are present in every local community, they are “fully aware of the terrible effects of this catastrophe.”
Winter is approaching, he added, and many people are now forced to choose between paying for food and heat.
“The prosperity to which our society has grown used appears to be ebbing away,” he remarked.
Nichols stated that he and his brother bishops realize the complexity of the energy crisis’s roots.
“Many Catholics in public life and the nonprofit sector are attempting to develop long-term answers to these political and economic issues,” he stated.
The cardinal made a brief reference to Catholic social teaching as a framework for addressing the many issues.
“The notion of serving the common good requires immediate attention to the needs of the poorest members of society,” he stated. “The time for giving faction concerns primacy has past. Today, our focus should be on the elderly, families with children, and all those who are least able to bear the enormous rises in the cost of living that we are experiencing.”
Nichols demanded immediate attention be paid to the level of welfare benefits and the limit of two children on universal credit payments.
“Businesses, particularly small businesses, face severe challenges and will require assistance to thrive,” he noted. Their contribution to employment and family income is essential.
Invoking the Catholic social principle of subsidiarity, the cardinal stated that the centralized welfare and public services system may benefit from the active participation of private citizens and civil society.
Cardinal Nichols exhorted all Catholics to “donate whatever time and money resources they can to philanthropic initiatives to assist individuals affected by the current situation.” He complimented Catholic schools’ long history of assisting children from struggling homes.
He stated, “The activity of our local parishes and Catholic humanitarian organizations is founded on the firm conviction of the intrinsic dignity of every person.” “No one is to be overlooked or ‘disregarded.’ I am certain that the Catholic community will do everything possible to act on this belief and advance this ideal throughout this crisis.”
Cardinal added, “I am confident that our parish communities will always be available to individuals who are enduring adversity and are in special need of company and spiritual assistance at this time.” They can help us appreciate the humility required before God.
“Never forget the spiritual needs of the impoverished and their unique gifts,” he urged.
Nichols requested prayers for all those affected by the cost-of-living problem. He invoked St. Thomas More, the patron saint of public servants, and St. Bernadette, the patron saint of the poor.
“I pray that everyone in our society will work together to find both immediate and long-term solutions to this situation that threatens the welfare of so many people,” he said.
During her tenure, Truss must also address the Ukraine problem following Russia’s incursion. Relations between Northern Ireland and the European Union are also anticipated to be problematic, as the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union continues to provide economic and political issues.