Roger Mahony

In the following viewpoint, Roger Mahony, the cardinal archbishop of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Los Angeles, asserts that Third World nations cannot develop their economies unless they are given debt relief. Mahony claims that more money is spent by developing nations on debt repayment than on health care and education. He suggests that the year 2000 would be an ideal time to begin debt relief. In June 1999, the leaders of the Group of Seven rich democracies—the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany, and Japan—agreed to write off debts for thirty-six nations totaling $70 billion.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How much did developing nations owe their creditors in 1995, as cited by Mahony?
2. In the author’s view, who shares the responsibility for the...