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Phoenix Diocese Calls for End to Susan G. Kormen Breast Cancer Foundation Funding of Abortion

By Gudrun Schultz

PHOENIX, Arizona, November 3, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Phoenix diocesan newspaper, with endorsement from the bishop, is urging area Catholics to petition for an end to abortion clinic funding by the local branch of one of the largest breast cancer foundations in the country.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation donated $25,000 to Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona, after the fundraiser Race for the Cure raised $1.8 million last month.  The money was designated for programs providing “breast health education and early cancer detection in Coconino, Gila, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties.”

The diocesan newspaper the Catholic Sun, in an editorial yesterday, objected to the grant for indirectly contributing to the work of the country’s leading abortion industry.

“Some will argue that grant is earmarked for areas other than abortion or contraception, so the affiliation between the organizations is inconsequential. But the sad reality is that the grant money now frees up Planned Parenthood funds for these other areas opposing life and counter to our Catholic faith.”

The Sun pointed out that scientific research links abortion to the later development of breast cancer, making it “tragically ironic” that a foundation dedicated to fighting the disease would support the nation’s largest abortion provider.

“[B]y giving money to Planned Parenthood, Komen is in essence shooting itself in the foot--then trying to race with only one good foot to raise additional funds to stop the bleeding,” the editorial states. “But the blood, both literally and figuratively, won’t stop until the grants to Planned Parenthood end.”

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted approved the editorial, the Arizona Republic reported earlier today. One of the country’s strongest bishops on pro-life issues, Bishop Olmstead has encouraged Catholics to exercise responsibility on civic duties in keeping with the directives of the Catholic faith. He recently authored a booklet, titled ‘Catholics in the Public Square,’ which offers guidelines on the Church’s teaching on civil responsibility related to public policies, political issues and voting.

The diocesan editorial called on Catholics to contact the Komen foundation and urge organizers to stop supporting Planned Parenthood.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation,
2040 W. Bethany Home Rd.,
Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85015
Call: (602) 544-2873
Fax: (602) 544-3366
E-mail: mdokes@komenphx.org

See Catholic Sun editorial:
http://www.catholicsun.org/editorial.html

See related LifeSiteNews coverage:

New Phoenix Bishop Shows Impressive Leadership - Dares to Directly Address Homosexuality
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/may/04050603.html

Phoenix, AZ Bishop Tells Pro-Abortion Politicians They May Not Receive Communion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/oct/06102407.html

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