Confirmed: CRS vice-president involved in same-sex marriage has resigned
June 03, 2015
A Maryland man who is a partner in a same-sex marriage has resigned his post as a vice-president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Catholic News Agency has confirmed.
CWN reported last week that Rick Estridge, who had been the vice-president for overseas finance, was no longer listed on the CRS executive directory.
Estridge said on June 3 that he had made the decision to resign, and thanked CRS officials for “providing me with the space to make this determination during this difficult time.” CRS issued a statement saying that the organization “respects Mr. Estridge’s decision and thanks him for his service.”
In April, the Lepanto Institute had issued a public statement calling attention to the fact that Estridge had entered into a same-sex marriage in Maryland. In announcing Estridge’s resignation, CRS recorded its “strong objection to these types of attacks and the tactics of the groups which launch them.”
“We detest hurtful campaigns that do not build up, but undermine, individuals and Church agencies carrying out the mission of bringing the love of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering,” the CRS statement continued.
CRS, the overseas charitable agency administered by the US bishops’ conference, has been criticized in the past by the Lepanto Institute for forming alliances with groups that oppose Church teaching on issues such as abortion, contraception, and homosexuality. CRS has repeatedly insisted that its programs are consistent with Church teachings.
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Further information:
- CRS vice president in same-sex civil marriage steps down (CNA)
- CRS directory removes listing of executive involved in same-sex marriage (CWN 5/27)
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Posted by: brenda22890 -
Jun. 04, 2015 9:47 AM ET USA
Exactly why I just throw their donation requests away, and ignore the ones from the pulpit.
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Posted by: james-w-anderson8230 -
Jun. 03, 2015 11:20 PM ET USA
"“We detest hurtful campaigns that do not build up, but undermine, individuals and Church agencies carrying out the mission of bringing the love of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering,” the CRS statement continued." If CRS did due diligence in hiring and monitoring their employee's public actions, others would not have to do it for them.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jun. 03, 2015 8:38 PM ET USA
CRS has proven over and over again that it is unworthy of the support of the faithful. It's time for them to remove the "Catholic" from their title. There are more worthy charities.
