Time To #Sayno2cchd

Now that the elections are behind us, it's time to take note of that annual in-pew shake-down known as the CCHD collection.  Most dioceses have these collections during a November week-end.  I won't rehash the whole sordid history of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development but will remind you that it was created with the intention of conning faithful Catholics into donating to organizations that actively promote anti-God agendas.

Many years ago, the CCHD was a major contributor to ACORN.  When the various scandals revolving around ACORN were made public, the USCCB promised reforms in the ways that CCHD determined its grants.  Not too surprisingly, we discovered that those "reforms" were just smoke and mirrors; no meaningful reforms were enacted at all. 

A few days ago, Lepanto Institute published their research that shows that CCHD is currently giving $280k to organizations that actively promote abortion and "LGBT" rights.  I cannot say they are back to their old tricks for I do not believe they ever paused in their chicanery. 

When the collection for CCHD occurs in your parishes, I'd suggest not only denying CCHD any money, but making it quite clear to them why you are doing so.  At the bottom of this post is a note that you can use to drop in your CCHD collection plate - or draft one of your own.  Just #sayno2cchd this year.

CCHD Collection Today

My apologies!  With different things going on (some of them personal), I forgot completely about the attempted in-pew shakedown that occurred today in the Archdiocese of Washington.  Yes, it was the CCHD collection, in which the donation dollars of many Catholics are diverted to various and sundry anti-God, anti-life and progressive organizations.

Fortunately, I could see as the basket came my way that it was quite empty.  I fully hope that by now faithful Catholics are getting the word that their contributions to this organization actually harms the true mission of the Church, that is, the salvation of souls.

I also noticed that they dropped that silly schtick about calling it "Communications and Human Development Campaign" and were at least honest about calling it the collection for Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Despite my memory lapse, I pray that this collection fizzled, for the sake of Holy Mother Church.  Most of the nation's CCHD collections will happen in November (original nationwide date).  Let's be sure to boycott those collections too.

Just Say No To CCHD

My archdiocese (of Washington) had their CCHD collection last August.  They tried to camouflage it by calling it "Communications and Human Development" but I don't think they're fooling too many people anymore - if they ever really did.

The majority of US dioceses still retain the November date as their CCHD collection.  Over the years many of us have pointed out that the CCHD collection funnels Catholic dollars into organizations that foment the Culture of Death.  I join my Catholic Media Coalition colleagues in saying #no2cchd.  Here is a press release from CMC president Mary Ann Kreitzer.  Read below that for an additional comment of mine.

PRESS RELEASE - Catholic Media Coalition

Contact:

Mary Ann Kreitzer
540-459-9493

kreitzr1@shentel.net

“Just Say No!” to the CCHD Collection
November 11, 2014

Most Catholic dioceses around the country will take up the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection later this month. CCHD professes to assist the poor, not by direct charity, but by developing projects that enable the poor to help themselves. While CCHD uses development grants to promote the collection, the bulk of donations goes to community organizing groups that agitate for a leftist agenda in direct conflict with Catholic teachings. Over the years controversy about CCHD has continued unabated because of this reality and the bishops' failure to institute change. Many Catholics will remember the millions of dollars funneled to ACORN before its scandalous activities leading to the mortgage and bank collapse were exposed. Several times, CCHD has pledged to reform, but, despite short-term improvements, its direction remains unchanged. Abuses continue and, according to Stephanie Block, an expert on Alinskyian organizing, CCHD, under the guise of "charity," channels money solicited from the faithful into groups that promote abortion, contraception, homosexual activism, socialist economic policies, etc.

In a recent report Block wrote:

In fact, 50% of the 2013-2014 CCHD grants have been given to Alinskyian organizations! This doesn’t include an additional award of $300,000 to one of the Alinskyian networks at its national level, nor $500,000 to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to restructure its approach to include community organizing and political advocacy, and $500,000 to the California Catholic Conference which has been forced to battle U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandates that would force Catholic institutions to purchase health insurance that covers abortion. This latter would be a positive development if it weren’t for all the millions of dollars CCHD poured into California Alinskyian organizations to “advocate” for universal health care legislation regardless of any “reproductive justice” components.

Block reaches this conclusion: 

For forty-four years [CCHD has] shamelessly pushed aside any corrective reform efforts, expanding its Alinskyian networks into more cities and exporting the twisted theology of Alinskyian organizing into other countries.

So, no, the CCHD hasn’t reformed, not even a little…and it doesn’t intend to reform.

Catholic Media Coalition and its individual member groups urge Catholics in the pew to "Just say NO!" to the CCHD collection this month. Give your hard-earned money to groups that really serve the poor.

For more see: 

http://www.speroforum.com/a/AGMRZDSLKE26/75284-Catholic-Campaign-for-Human-Development-should-practice-truth-in-advertising#.VGIu2PnF-HQ

http://www.speroforum.com/a/AGMRZDSLKE26/75284-Catholic-Campaign-for-Human-Development-should-practice-truth-in-advertising#.VGIu2PnF-HQ

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I'd only add one thing.  Let the church know why you won't give them money.  You might wish to use the note below or write something of your own.  Please give that money to a truly worthwhile charity.  Say #no2cchd.