Vatican II, the great reforming church council that closed 40 years ago this fall, reminded Catholics around the world that "the joys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these too are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ."

Since the council, the hopes of a better life for so many of our neighbors have gone unrealized - despite the work of countless good persons dedicated to living the Gospel every day.

But for several years, and especially during the most recent recession, not all Coloradans have shared in that quality of life. Colorado now ranks 44th among the nation's 50 states in immunization rates for children 3 years old and younger. We're 48th in our percentage of low-income children with health insurance. Our national ranking for access to prenatal care dropped from 23rd in 1990 to 48th in 2004. Colorado ranks 50th in the nation for poor high school students who manage to attend college, even for one day.

Circumstances forced the Colorado General Assembly to trim more than $1 billion in state services during the recent recession. These budget adjustments were uniquely painful for the most vulnerable families in Colorado. The cuts included school food programs, health care and mental health services, and financial assistance to the physically disabled. The cuts also imposed a cap on further enrollment in the Children's Basic Health plan and the elimination of full-day kindergarten in poorly performing public schools. Nearly all state funding for affordable housing was removed.

In April 2004, the Colorado Catholic Conference and Catholic Charities held a "Call to Compassion" rally at the state Capitol to raise public awareness about the alarming impact the budget cuts had on poor families. At that rally, individuals from across Colorado offered personal testimonials on how the state's budget cuts have directly hurt their lives and families.

We need to reflect again on what was said that day. Churches and other religious communities cannot build a just and compassionate society alone. Neither can volunteers or charities. We need government to do its rightful job, not cut or hobble its services. We need government to serve the common good with laws that defend the weak - and also with financial support, personnel and other resources to ensure a life of basic dignity for our people.

Referendums C and D are unique, bipartisan, and historic efforts that would, without raising taxes, promote the common good by correcting certain budget deficiencies. Furthermore, Referendum C specifically earmarks the spending for education, health care for low-income families, and restoring cuts made to essential services listed above. In fact, if passed, Referendum C would commit more than $900 million in health-care assistance to Colorado's elderly, low-income and disabled populations.

For these reasons, the Catholic bishops of Colorado - Bishop Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo, Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and myself - recently endorsed Referendums C and D.

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