A group of prominent Catholic academics, including St. John's University Prof. Daniel Finn, have signed a letter to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner questioning whether the Republican budget plan lives up to Catholic social teachings.

The letter, coinciding with Boehner's scheduled commencement address at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., assails the budget plan of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., calling it "particularly cruel to pregnant women and children." It also charges that the GOP plan would "effectively" end Medicare. The letter is expected to be delivered to Boehner's office Thursday morning, according to the National Catholic Reporter. Finn, Professor of Theology and Clemens Professor of Economics and Liberal Arts at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., is among the signatories. Boehner and Ryan are Roman Catholics.