Barney Frank: “They noted that the Catholic Church is, by far, the largest provider of private charity in the United States. Based on…”

“They noted that the Catholic Church is, by far, the largest provider of private charity in the United States. Based on that experience, and out of the compassion and concern for social justice that motivates them to do that, they repudiate the notion that there is no need for Government assistance. Let us be very clear. We may not comfort ourselves when we think of the small children who will be denied services if this amendment is defeated by the notion that somehow private compassion and charity will take it up. Yes, we should be doing everything we can to encourage that. But, as the Catholic bishops pointed out, as the largest provider of private charity in this country, there is simply no way we can expect the gap to be repaired if the Government backs out to this.”