Bishop denounces ‘outrageous claims’ of CCHD critics, says 3 grant recipients ‘in conflict with Catholic teaching’

November 19, 2009

Bishop Roger Morin of Biloxi, Mississippi, the chairman of the US bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), has denounced recent criticism of the controversial anti-poverty effort as “outrageous” in a November 17 report at the US bishops’ meeting in Baltimore. At the same time, he lent credence to some of the criticism by reporting that CCHD has rescinded three grants in the past year because the organizations receiving the grants acted “in conflict with Catholic teaching.”

Acknowledging that some critics “are motivated by a concern for the poor and a respect for the Church, seeking answers to legitimate questions about what, how, and why CCHD does what it does, and how it can be made better,” Bishop Morin said that “others may not understand or accept the Church’s social teaching on justice, a priority for the poor, or the need for institutional change.” He continued:

But a few with their own ideological or political agendas repeat and spread outrageous claims that the bishops are funding abortion, attacks on the family, and other untruths. For these groups, this seems to be just another way to attack the Church and its shepherds. The same critics constantly insist the bishops are unfaithful in our responsibilities and do not care about the unborn. I reiterate that we are absolutely pro-life from conception to natural death. We are pro-life and committed to support of life-- the full spectrum of life. CCHD’s work for life and dignity does not diminish, but advances our commitment to the sacredness of all human life.

In the midst of his comments on the CCHD critics, Bishop Morin acknowledged that some grant recipients acted in conflicted with Catholic teaching. Further lending credence to some of the criticism leveled at CCHD, Bishop Morin also revealed that the CCHD staff is undertaking the “key task” of “anchoring the ongoing work of CCHD in Catholic social teaching.”

[T]he Subcommittee pledges our ongoing efforts to ensure that all CCHD funds are used faithfully, effectively, and in accord with Catholic social and moral teaching … All CCHD grants are carefully reviewed at both national and diocesan levels, and every grant is specifically approved by the local diocesan bishop. No group that acts against Catholic social or moral teaching is eligible for CCHD funding. Where problems are discovered, we act swiftly and decisively. As you recall, CCHD was the first national organization to cut off all funding to ACORN when the national problems of fiscal accountability, organizational direction, and political partisanship became apparent, long before the federal government and other groups did the same. This will be the third consecutive CCHD collection where no ACORN group at any level will be considered for CCHD funding for any purpose.

If any CCHD-funded group violates the conditions of a grant and acts in conflict with Catholic teaching, CCHD funding is terminated in consultation with the local diocese. For example, in the last year, three groups out of 250 (between 1% and 2%) had CCHD funding ended for these reasons. One case is one too many, and we continue to strengthen CCHD’s review and monitoring processes. It is disturbing to be confronted by generalities that emanate from a single mistake-- we all know the hurt resulting from those who define a universe by going from the particular to the general …

The CCHD Subcommittee and our dedicated staff are undertaking several key tasks to build on and strengthen the great work of CCHD in communities across our nation: We are ROOTING CCHD clearly in the mission of Jesus Christ. We are anchoring the ongoing work of CCHD in Catholic social teaching. Our guidelines and criteria will express our principles in our language: the life and dignity of every person, the option for the poor, the principle of participation, solidarity, and subsidiarity … We are REVIEWING CCHD and its major elements to ensure they fully reflect our Catholic principles and our unique mission of helping poor people help themselves, and empowering them to improve their own communities.

 

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Further information:

• Bishop Morin's report to the CCHD Subcommittee (CCHD)
• Bishop Morin calls claims against CCHD's work 'outrageous' (CNS)
• CCHD Funding: Frequently Answered Questions (CCHD)
• Pro-life group raises new questions on CCHD funding (CWN, 11/17/09)
• Chicago archdiocesan officials lash out at critics of Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CWN, 11/13/09)
• US bishops' award highlights plight of Florida agricultural workers-- including slavery (CWN, 11/11/09)
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Information (American Life League)
• Reforming the Catholic Campaign for Human Development