In such a community, he said, there must be concern for all and especially for the weakest. International Debt Catholic social teaching sees the international debt of poor countries as both a complex policy issue and a profound moral challenge. In moving toward resolution of the problem, neither its complexity nor its moral character can be ignored. Bread for the World was instrumental in getting debt forgiveness legislation introduced in Congress this year. For more details on the legislation, see Bread for the World's web site .
International debt is complex in size and scope.
It affects the welfare of millions of people, scores of countries, international financial institutions, and private sources of funding. International debt also presents a moral challengeC the particular concern of the Church in addressing this problemC in how it affects the human dignity, human rights, and human welfare of some of the most vulnerable men, women and children in the global community. But the moral structure of international debt also includes the proper definition of the duties, responsibilities, and rights of a complex fabric of individuals and institutions. The moral dimensions of the international debt problem extend to how it was contracted, who was involved in key decisions, which institutions are now primarily responsible for its resolution, and what moral criteria should be used to articulate, structure and adjudicate this fabric of relationships. In Catholic teaching, lending money is a legitimate moral enterprise if key conditions of justice are met on the part of the lender and borrower.