Calling economic injustice among the "gravest of sins," leaders of five mainline Protestant denominations known for left-leaning political activism called President Bush's new federal budget "unjust."

The church leaders, who say they represent 20 million followers, recalled the story from Luke's gospel of the rich man and Lazurus as they addressed reporters in Washington, D.C.

Leaders of the Episcopal Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ and United Methodist Church presented a joint statement that said, "In telling this story, Jesus makes clear that perpetrating economic injustice is among the gravest of sins."

In the gospel account, Jesus tells of a poor man named Lazarus lying at the gate of a rich man who ignores the poor man's needs. When the two men die, Lazarus goes to heaven while the rich man ends up in hell.

"Like many Americans, we read our daily newspaper through the lens of faith, and when we see injustice, it is our duty to say so," the leaders added. "The 2006 federal budget that President Bush has sent to Capitol Hill is unjust. It has much for the rich man and little for Lazarus."

The statement was signed by the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA; the Right Rev. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA); United Church of Christ General Minister and President John H. Thomas; and James Winkler, general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church.

The Episcopal Church's Griswold issued a separate statement pointing to his concern that three questions should be asked about the budget: "Is the budget compassionate? Does the budget strive to serve the human family, both at home and around the world? Does the budget serve the common good?"

Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America said the president's proposed cuts are to the very programs -- especially the net $45 billion cut to Medicaid -- that support many Lutheran social ministry organizations and the services they provide.

"If these cuts are implemented a significant number of these providers may become vulnerable since they operate on very small margins," he said. "The real damage, however, is done to the people who desperately need the services provided by [the church]."

Thomas of the United Church of Christ said there is "no more important moral value in this country than supporting families, especially those who are poor."

"The president's budget is anything but good news for the poor," he said.

Winkler of the United Methodist Church, President Bush's denomination, said the U.S., as the richest nation in the world, must ask how it is caring for its children.

He quoted a United Methodist Council of Bishops statement, which said, "The technical resources are available to protect children from the most common diseases, to provide them with the necessities of food, shelter, clothing, and health care. What is lacking are the vision and the moral will."

The leaders concluded their joint statement with a call to church members and all people of faith to oppose the budget.

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