Commission on Catholic Community Action, Diocese of Cleveland

This Resolution Endorsing the Passage of the U.S. Peace Tax Fund Bill was released in 1986.

Whereas, since 1940, Congressional legislation has recognized that persons opposed to participation in war for reasons of conscience have a right to alternatives to military service; and

Whereas, in this fashion, people with deeply held religious, moral or ethical beliefs against participation in war must have legal alternative peace-enhancing uses for their tax money instead of paying for nuclear weapons and other elements of the war-making system; and

Whereas, all taxpayers participate in war and preparations for war, and because over one-third of every tax dollar is spent for current military purposes, taxpayers who are conscientiously opposed to such participation must either violate their beliefs or violate the law; and

Whereas, bills before Congress, H.R. 3032 and S. 1468 [of the 99th Congress, 1985-1986], establish the U.S. Peace Tax Fund as a special trust fund within the U.S. Treasure for eligible taxpayers; and

Whereas, besides granting relief to those who have deeply held convictions against war, these bills would direct significant resources into peacemaking programs;

Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Commission on Catholic Community Action of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese endorses and gives full support to the swift passage of this legislation establishing a U.S. Peace Tax Fund and urges individual members of the Diocesan hierarchy and lay leaders to exert their influence in promoting the passage of this legislation.