I was pleased to see Bishop Malone’s guest column in the Sun Journal on March 20. It is good to see the head of the Catholic Diocese in Maine take a stand against the proposed state budget cuts to vital services and programs.

I, too, do not think that these cuts are in the best interest of the common good, or consistent with the spirit of responsibility to our neighbors that we see everyday in Maine communities.

Most of us have been taught that we have a responsibility to one another. Love for our neighbor is central to Christ’s teachings. Our faith tells us to share our resources. Charitable giving is good but can no way meet the need, especially in these challenging economic times.

As the bishop said, “Taxes are, in some ways, a contemporary method of extending support to our neighbors and expressing our commitment to community life.”

Legislators need to find better ways to balance the budget. It needs to be one that shares the burden of the shortfall among us all, and expresses our commitment to community life.

Julie Hayes, Auburn