While a number of President Obama’s initiatives (notably on embryonic stem cells and abortion funding overseas) have been criticized by Catholic leaders, Catholic Charities has welcomed some of his moves:

Seeing President Barack Obama’s first federal budget proposal in his still young administration, Catholic Charities officials and others committed to meeting the needs of the poor are breathing a bit easier.

For the first time in years they are seeing a spending plan that boosts spending for health care wellness and prevention efforts, education, affordable housing, food stamps and Medicaid for cash-strapped states.

It’s a budget, advocates and providers agree, that reflects a change in priorities. It’s a welcome change, one which advocates feel moves closer to the biblical call for justice.

“We’re pleased to be able to make a statement about this budget where we’re not having to respond to cuts to the very programs that we know provide the substantial safety net for the families and individuals that we serve,” Candy Hill, senior vice president for public policy and government affairs at Catholic Charities USA, said during a March 2 conference call with reporters to discuss a “values audit” of Obama’s $3.6 trillion fiscal year 2010 budget.

“Overall, we would rate this budget proposal as very positive for the people we are concerned about,” she said.

Hill’s comments reflect a growing sentiment across a widening circle of advocates — especially those outside of faith-based communities — that government budgets are moral documents that reflect the policy priorities of the nation.

Continue at the CNS link for more.