Friday November 5, 2010
Highlighted CCHD Grantee is Affiliated with Pro-Abort Groups
By Matthew Anderson
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 5, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Reform CCHD Now (RCN) coalition has called into question the integrity of a document released by the USCCB late last month that outlined steps for the reform and renewal of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development – the U.S. bishops’ official anti-poverty arm – after it was discovered that one of the partner groups highlighted in that document has problamtic ties with pro-abortion groups.
The USCCB document was greeted with cautious optimism by members of RCN, who have been pushing for reform in the organization ever since it was discovered last year that CCHD has been funding numerous groups that are involved in pro-abortion or pro-homosexual activities.
However, the RCN coalition has since pointed out that one group highlighted in the renewal document, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, which is listed as an “example of CCHD’s remarkable work,” took part in the U.S. Social Forum 2010, a progressive organization which supports abortion and LGBT “rights.”
RCN cites numerous workshops that took place at the Forum that show that promotion of LGBT and abortion “rights” is at the heart of the Forum’s agenda. Among the workshops the U.S. Social Forum promoted were those entitled “Maintaining Abortion as a Reproductive Right for Low – Income Woman,” “Queer Injustice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States,” and “Radical Queer Festivals.”
Besides the U.S. Social Forum 2010, RCN reports CIW has been tied to at least three other groups that support abortion/homosexuality. For instance, CIW is also a member of the U.S. Human Rights Network, which advocates for LGBT “rights.” On its “about us” page, the U.S Human Rights Network states:
“Network members believe that the US government should no longer be allowed to shield itself from accountability to human rights norms and that the US civil, women’s, worker, immigrant, LGBTQ, prisoner and other rights movements that stand to benefit, perhaps now more than ever, from an end to US impunity in this regard.”
Michael Hichborn, lead researcher for RCN member American Life League, said that “the very idea that the CCHD would praise CIW in a document that apologizes for funding pro-abortion, pro-homosexual organizations in the past and promises to make a stronger effort to avoid doing so in the future undermines their credibility.”
“If CCHD can’t get it right at the beginning of this process, what confidence can we have that it will be able to do so later on?”
Though RCN admits that it does not appear that any money from CCHD actually went to these groups with which CIW is associated, RCN pointed out that the CCHD has promised to not support groups who are affiliated with other organizations that work for ends contrary to Catholic moral teaching. In the renewal document for CCHD the USCCB states, “CCHD will not fund groups that are members of coalitions which have as part of their organizational purpose or coalition agenda, positions or actions that contradict fundamental Catholic moral and social teaching.”
The document goes on to say, “CCHD is developing additional structures and guidance to address in greater detail the ethical implications of these relationships and what is morally acceptable and what is not for CCHD funded groups.” RCN pointed out that this means the CCHD has not yet fully determined the exact guidelines for grant recipients’ affiliations.
Rob Gasper, founder of RCN member Bellarmine Veritas Ministry said, “The CCHD’s lack of oversight even in its renewal document underscores our concern and call for a delay in the national collection until the 2010 grants list is released.”
According to RCN’s press release, it has renewed its call for complete transparency in CCHD’s grants process and a delay of the collection until the new grants list is released.
To read RCN’s full report on the Coalition of Immokalee Workers click here.
For LifeSiteNews related coverage:
USCCB Releases Key Document Pledging Renewal of Scandal-Ridden Anti-Poverty Arm
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10102607.html
Coalition of Catholic Groups Calls for Massive Reform of U.S. Bishops’ Social Justice Arm
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/oct/09102909.html
US Bishops Prepare to Consider CCHD’s Future
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10060101.html
Bishop Bruskewitz on CCHD: Bishop Morin Was a “Bit Too Dismissive” of Concerns
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09112410.html
USCCB’s Social Justice Arm Caught Funding Pro-Abortion/Prostitution Groups: Takes “Decisive” Action in Response
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/sep/09092205.html