The recent actions of the Trump administration to limit development aid have raised significant concerns globally, including within the Vatican.
The closure of USAID, the primary international humanitarian and development agency of the U.S. government, poses a serious threat to essential aid programs operated by the Catholic Church, as highlighted by the Church’s office focused on migrants, the environment, and development.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, who leads the Vatican’s Development and Migrants Office, expressed his dismay, stating, “A crackdown is a terrible way to administer affairs and much less to administer justice. I am deeply saddened that many individuals are suffering and even being terrorized by these measures. I can only hope that the Church in each region can assist and, if possible, protect them.”
With the backing of billionaire Elon Musk, Trump prioritized the dismantling of USAID during his initial weeks in office, labeling the agency as a financial burden.
“While it is within every government’s right to reassess its budget, it would be prudent to provide advance notice regarding foreign aid cuts, as it requires time to secure alternative funding or to address the issues in other ways,” Cardinal Czerny added.
Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. Catholic Church’s aid agency, is one of the largest beneficiaries of USAID, supporting numerous international development and aid initiatives in over 120 countries.
With approximately 50 to 60% of its funding sourced from USAID, the potential loss of this financial support could have significant repercussions worldwide.
Additionally, smaller organizations like Caritas and local diocesan efforts are also at risk of experiencing substantial budget reductions.
