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Canada's Largest Catholic Newspaper Calls for Open Investigation into Development and Peace

By John-Henry Westen

TORONTO, April 14, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic Register, the largest Catholic newspaper in Canada, owned by the Archdiocese of Toronto, has called for an open investigation into the international development arm of the Canadian Bishops Conference.  Concerns that the development organization, called Development and Peace, is funding groups involved in abortion advocacy were first raised by an investigative report by LifeSiteNews.com. 

Since the first report, which involved five groups in Mexico, LSN and others have reported on D&P funding of pro-abortion groups throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia (See bottom for links to coverage).

The Register editorial observes that in response to the allegations, D&P eventually suspended funding to five groups in Mexico and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced an investigation that will see two bishops join senior staff from Development and Peace on a mission to Mexico.

In its lead editorial this week, The Catholic Register notes that "by opting for a virtually in-house investigation they [the bishops] are stepping onto a tightrope without a safety net."

"The primary objective of this investigation is to restore public confidence in Development and Peace," explains the Register. "The means to that end is to review Development and Peace's affiliated agencies, particularly those that are the target of allegations, and ensure they are in compliance with church teachings."

The Catholic newspaper calls the investigation "critical" and stresses that "credibility demands that it be thorough, expeditious and transparent - and the final report should be public."

"Anything less will neutralize its effectiveness," adds the editorial. "And even then there is no guarantee of success because the investigation may widely be perceived, fairly or not, as an inside job."

Significantly, the editorial asks, "But how realistic is it to expect an investigative team that includes several senior staff from Development and Peace to censure itself?" 

The editorial concludes: "An investigation should provide answers but this one seems only to raise more questions."

See the full editorial online here:
http://www.catholicregister.org/content/view/2969/40/

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

IRONY: NGO Funded by Canadian Bishops' D&P Battles East Timor Bishops over Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040708.html

"Development and Peace" Funding Sixth Pro-Abortion Organization in Mexico
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040611.html

Hundreds of Thousands in Canadian Lent Collection Money Funding Pro-Abortion Groups in Mexico
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031210.html

Group Funded by Development and Peace Supports Mexico City's Abortion on Demand Law
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032313.html

Mexican Pro-Life Leader Confirms: Groups Funded by Development and Peace are Pro-Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031710.html

Canadian Catholic "Development and Peace" Funding Two Abortion Advocacy Groups in Brazil
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032705.html

Development and Peace Also Supporting Pro-Abortion Group in Bolivia: National Catholic Register
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031812.html

Pro-Abortion/Contraception Groups in Africa Receiving Development and Peace Funding
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032613.html

"Development and Peace" Supporting Two Pro-Abortion Organizations in Haiti
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09033008.html

Catholic and International Pro-Life Groups Ask Canadian Bishops to Halt Funding to Latin American Pro-Abortion Groups
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031610.html

Toronto Archbishop: Development and Peace Won't Get Funds if They Support Pro-Abortion Groups
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031808.html

Third And Fourth Canadian Bishops Say Development & Peace Funds to be Held Pending Investigation
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032716.html

Full Text of LifeSiteNews Interview With Gilio Brunelli of Development and Peace
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/090320b.html

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