Chicago archdiocesan officials lash out at critics of Catholic Campaign for Human Development

November 13, 2009

Four officials of the Archdiocese of Chicago have blasted critics of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the US bishops’ controversial anti-poverty effort.

“Recently, CCHD has come under attack from certain groups whose motivations and objectives are rooted in partisan politics, rather than faithfulness to Catholic teaching and concern for the poor,” according to the officials. “These groups have gone so far as to call for the elimination of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, making erroneous and inflammatory statements about the program, its supporters, and the projects it funds. Despite efforts on the part of the CCHD staff to reach out to these critics and respond to their concerns, anti-CCHD rhetoric has only become more fervent and hateful, and the time has come to rally in defense of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.”

“The charge that criticisms of the CCHD are rooted in partisan politics is patently false,” responded Michael Hichborn of the American Life League. “The criticisms are rooted in the fact that organizations being funded by the CCHD have been, and still are, involved in activities and in promoting philosophies that completely contradict Church teaching. These activities and philosophies include the promotion of birth control, same-sex marriage, abortion and, in some instances, even prostitution.”

 

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Further information:

• Church officials, critics clash over Catholic Campaign for Human Development (Renew America)
• US bishops' award highlights plight of Florida agricultural workers-- including slavery (CWN, 11/11/09)
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development (USCCB)
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Information (American Life League)
• Reforming the Catholic Campaign for Human Development