Catholic Relief Services insists on its fidelity to Church teaching
October 30, 2012
The US bishops’ relief and development agency has responded to a recent “coordinated series of attacks, condemning aspects of our work, our partners, professional associations, and even some of our employees.”
“We want to be clear that we are open to and welcome correction, presented to us by people and organizations who offer it in the spirit of Christian charity and with the intention of helping us to live the Gospel mission of serving the poorest of the poor around the world. In substance and tone, these recent unrelenting attacks are not helpful,” the agency said in a statement, adding:
It is true that CRS works with groups which do not share our Catholic values. We employ non-Catholics as well as Catholics. We belong to coalitions which extend the reach of services to the poor often in remote areas where we do not operate. We are members of professional associations so as to obtain information and technological advances so that we are best prepared to serve those who are in our care.
When these associations offer programs which run contrary to Church teachings, we do not participate. Our membership in these coalitions gives us a platform to present effective methods and procedures that demonstrate the efficacy of Catholic approaches to health and family planning. These are our opportunities to make space in the public for the Catholic viewpoint and to witness to our faith.
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Posted by: Ken -
Oct. 30, 2012 6:23 PM ET USA
Realize what CRS is saying here is: "We don't care if you object to our funding operation, we will continue doing what we want." At least you no longer have to wonder if they have finally stopped associating with agencies in direct conflict with basic Catholic tenants of faith. Makes it easy to decide if you want to donate to them each year. In a way, they are doing faithful Catholics a favor with this announcement.
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Posted by: unum -
Oct. 30, 2012 6:21 PM ET USA
CRS continues its campaign of obfuscation and USCCB continues to accept half-truths as justification for the associations of CRS with organizations that take positions contrary to Church teaching. USCCB's tolerance of the activities of CRS and CCHD continue to mislead the faithful regarding fidelity to Church teaching, and encourage members of the Church, clergy and laity, who are dissenting from Catholic teaching.
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Posted by: Caritas -
Oct. 30, 2012 6:16 PM ET USA
I agree with the other three comments. I'd like to support CRS, regrettably they're working with groups that do not share our Catholic values, therefore, I can't support them at this time.
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Posted by: Miss Cathy -
Oct. 30, 2012 3:27 PM ET USA
With this type of fuzzy logic one could associate with Planned Parenthood and still proclaim themselves faithful-because they reach poor people for STD testing and pap-smears. Association is participation.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 30, 2012 1:23 PM ET USA
How do you get that CRS insists on fidelity? Didn't they just state they have worked, and will continue to work, with groups that reject Church Doctrine? And CRS is being more than a little coy, by "working," they mean they are dues paying members and frequently fund organizations that engage in intrinsically evil activities, like support for abortion (or even, in one case, perform the abortions themselves). It has been sufficiently established in my mind that I cannot support CRS at present.
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Posted by: fwhermann3492 -
Oct. 30, 2012 11:49 AM ET USA
More rationalization. Actions speak louder than words.
