Brazil bishops call for debt reassessment

The Catholic Church in Brazil has challenged the government to defend its austerity measures aimed at repaying the country's massive debt.

Campaigning under the slogan "Life over Debt" the National Bishop's Council says it wants to change attitudes in a country where fifty percent of the population live in poverty.

The Bishop's Council has organised a nationwide poll on the issue next month.

But critics of the vote -- which is not legally binding -- say it could eventually lead to the undoing of the economic stability gained through years of spending cuts and free market reform.

The bishops say they simply want a reassessment of the amount of money earmarked for repayments. The fiscal austerity package -- agreed with the International Monetary Fund -- aims to address Brazil's ninety-six-billion dollar long term foreign debt.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service