Stephanie Block's CCHD Series

It became apparent to me that I goofed up the order of Ms Block's on-going series of articles regarding the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  I want to emphasize that she has done much research on the CCHD over the years and she draws upon her own knowledge of the machinations of the CCHD in addition to drawing upon the recently-released ALL report on the most current list of CCHD grantees.

At any rate, here is the list, in proper order.  Ms Block informs me that three more articles are to follow; I'll post them as they become available.

• (Introduction)  Is the Catholic Campaign for Human Development funding the Culture of Death?www.speroforum.com/site/print.asp?idarticle=61051 9-30-11
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development 2011: Part I Guilt by Association – Funding the Idaho Community Action Network. http://www.speroforum.com/site/print.asp?idarticle=61285 10-5-11
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development 2011: Part 2 US Catholic Bishops' funding of the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) while robbing citizens of their voice. http://www.speroforum.com/site/print.asp?idarticle=61497  10-4-11
• Catholic Campaign on Human Development: The American Life League Report on links to abortion groups Part 3 in a series http://www.speroforum.com/site/print.asp?idarticle=61481  10-8-11
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development 2011: Part 4: - Changing the Way Christians Understand “Church”  US Conference of Catholic Bishops and CCHD funding 'Omaha Together One Community' (OTOC). http://www.speroforum.com/site/print.asp?idarticle=61568  

Please read these.  Pass them along.  Most important, when the CCHD collection basket passes by you, drop them a note explaining why you'll give not one red cent to them.

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

-30-

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.

Open Letter to CCHD and USCCB

The open letter copied below was just now emailed to Ralph McCloud and John Carr
_________________________________________________________________

Open Letter to the Directors and Staff of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in Particular, and to Those of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a Whole
Ladies and gentlemen:
For many years now, monies donated to the CCHD have been funneled to groups that have actively worked to trivialize Church teachings on the life issues (abortion, euthanasia, homosexual behavior, various abuses of embryonic children) in favor of causes favored by left-wing elements in high places (such as supposed “climate change”, “poverty”, “health care reform”,etc). In some cases these groups have allied themselves with those who seek to actively undermine the Church on life-issue matters. Despite any pretenses that you may attempt to offer, you are well aware of our deep grievances with you on these matters. It is no stretch of the imagination to suggest that the election of the most pro-abortion President in the history of this country would not have been possible without the financial backing of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the recipients of CCHD grants. However, should there still be some in your organization who insist on feigning ignorance, we invite them to peruse the following websites and blogs and to follow their documentation.
http://www.reformcchdnow.com/
www.all.org
http://bellarmineveritasministry.org/
www.catholicmediacoalition.org
and our own http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com

For years now, concerned Catholics have been pleading with you to stop the funding of these aberrant groups, most notably ACORN. Only when the embezzlement scandal of the Rathke brothers broke (along with voter registration fraud allegations) did the CCHD cease funding of ACORN. However, funding and other support of other anti-God organizations continues.

Recently your support of left-wing organizations took on an offensive and even blasphemous dimension as the CCHD hijacked and attempted to deform the Stations of the Cross to be celebrations of some of these anti-Church outfits. I need not go into the disgusting details in this letter, as they are already exposed on our blog as well as others. Of course you were already aware of that. Hours after the first expose went online, you pulled your so-called “stations” from your website. You did so with no notice nor apology for offense caused, indicating that this removal was just another sorry attempt at damage control.

Happily, though, your attempt was a failure and the profaned “stations” are available for all of the world to see. And what do they see? They see that the USCCB is still supporting organizations whose philosophies and governing members are openly at odds with the Magisterium on the non-negotiable life issues. These “stations”, and their subsequent disingenuous removal adds resolve to many of us as we call upon His Holiness to dissolve the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and in particular, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Should you be interested at all in restoring any shred of goodwill, we urge you to post an unequivocal apology on your website, apologizing for the support of any and all left-wing “community-organizing” outfits, making plain that you will immediately cease any and all types of support for the same. You should then support only those organizations that uphold the Church’s teachings on the life issues and who perform the various Works of Mercy – both Spiritual as well as Corporal.

Please be advised that this letter is open and even now appears on our blog. Any replies from you to us will likewise be posted thereon.

Church's Charitable Umbrella Organizations Are Decidedly Uncharitable

During the past two days I linked to stories detailing how the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Charities are serving anti-life agendas.  Unfortunately the accounts of their misuse of Catholic money continue to accumulate, and the Catholic Relief Services seems to be following suit.

The Lepanto Institute recently exposed the production by Catholic Relief Services of a sex-education program in Rwanda.  It promotes the usage of abortifacients, contraceptives, masturbation and homosexuality.  The program is called "My Changing Body" and it is produced in partnership with Georgetown University's Institute for Reproductive Health.  Ostensibly Georgetown used to be Catholic, but it too has jettisoned all authentic Catholicism from its life and is Catholic in name only.  The Lepanto site links to their full report on "My Changing Body"and has screenshots of some of the material used by that program.  It is immoral, anti-life - and funded with Catholic donations.

The Lepanto Institute learned something brand-new about the CCHD this week.  We know from many years of their misbehaviors that they've funded all sorts of anti-life and socialistic ventures, but apparently "community organizing" has taken a new turn - marijuana farms!  This is occurring in California (of course!).  The California Center for Cooperative Development received $50k to start some "medical marijuana cooperatives".  Next we hear they'll be starting some avant-garde opium dens or safe-haven needle exchange projects - oh wait! - Catholic Charities beat them to it several years ago!

Speaking of Catholic Charities, they have a new president - Sister Donna Markham.  She worked for a while at Georgetown University (there's that name again!) and then became prioress of the Adrian Dominicans.  Under her less-than-illustrious leadership, this order joined the Catholic Health Association and helped ramrod through Obamacare, in direct opposition to the bishops.  She's been associated with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, serving a term as its president.  When the Vatican launched its investigation into the LCWR, she waxed both arrogant and indignant at the Church for so doing.  Such is Catholic Charities' leadership.

I do want to highlight a few things about CCHD's ongoing linkage to Alinskyian community organizing.  It is alive and well; one must remember that CCHD was founded with the express purpose of funding socialistic and atheistic endeavors with the contribution dollars of unwitting Catholics.  My colleague Stephanie Block has done much work in exposing these "community organizing" outfits for the menaces that they are.  In this piece she exposes the linkage between the Industrial Areas Foundation with illegal immigration.  Recall that a few days ago I exposed the misdeeds of Action In Montgomery.  AIM was front-and-center with the left-wing as they were shilling for the DREAM Act a year or two ago in Maryland.  AIM is an IAF affiliate.  In her next piece detailing the Senate campaign of rabid pro-abort Loretta Sanchez and IAF's support for her, Stephanie details how Sanchez's supporters relied on the votes of newly-naturalized aliens to defeat pro-life Bob Dornan for the US Congress.

Many Catholics are unaware (or they won't accept) that their contributions to Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services and/or Catholic Campaign for Human Development actually serve to undermine the Church and facilitate death and destruction, both spiritually and physically.  It's time to say #no2cchd, #no3crs and #no2cathcharities.

Boycott August 13-14 Second Collection In Washington DC Archdiocese

Why?  Because it's the collection for Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection. 

You might say it sure didn't sound like it from the pulpit.  If you were confused, don't feel bad - for I believe that such confusion was desired and intended.  What you most likely heard was that it is for the "Catholic Communications and Human  Development Campaign".

Uhhh..  Wait a minute now!  There is, besides the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, something called the Catholic Communications Campaign - two different things, to be sure.  However, what we heard from the pulpit today was a most curious (and I daresay suspicious) amalgamation of those two names!   When I blogged this last month, I was unaware of the existence of the Catholic Communications Campaign.  Still, this collection just doesn't pass the smell test.  If they're merely doing both on the same Sunday, why didn't they just say so openly?  Here is the second collection schedule from the Archdiocesan web site (click this link, then click the pdf link to open it).  You'll see not only this strangely-named collection, but you'll notice that the usual November collection for the CCHD is gone.

Please take the monies you might have contributed and give them directly to a worthwhile charity, such as your local pro-life pregancy center.  Also, in next week's collection, drop a note in the basket to explain precisely why you have given no money; let this be an educational moment for the Archdiocese.  The American Life League developed cards for such purpose; here they are.

Because this collection is just one day away, I ask that you spread word of this quickly and to as many people as you possibly can.

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS GIVE TO CCHD!

Open Letter To Bishop Bransfield Regarding CCHD

Bishop Michael Bransfield oversees the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, WV.  This letter was penned by my Catholic Media Coalition colleague Jim Fritz.  It's worth a read.  Tomorrow do NOT contribute to the CCHD collection.  Say #no2cchd.

                                                                                                November 22, 2013

Most Rev. Michael Bransfield

Bishop of Wheeling - Charleston

1300 Byron Street

Wheeling, WV 26003

Dear Bishop Bransfield;

Garbage By Any Other Name Remains...

And the answer is ... GARBAGE!

At Mass today, we were told that the second collection was for the "FUND for Human Development".

FUND???  Do they think we all just jumped off the turnip truck??  Who do they think they're fooling, especially when the Catholic Standard has been falling all over itself trying to put a pretty face on that viper of an enterprise, using its real name "Catholic Campaign for Human Development"? 

Needless to say, there was not one red penny in my envelope.  Instead, they'll receive something much more valuable - some truth regarding the CCHD.  Read the little letter below.

To Whom This May Concern:


As you can plainly see, there is no money in this envelope. Not only do I refuse to contribute to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), but I urge its abolishment.

Ironically, the two articles in the recent Catholic Standard issues, undoubtedly published to put a pretty face on the CCHD, offer evidence of the harm that CCHD has wrought over its years. In both articles, a funds recipient was touted as doing great work in Washington. This organization is the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN). A brief perusal of the WIN website reveals that it is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), which was directly founded by Saul Alinsky himself. If you read Alinsky’s book, “Rules for Radicals” (and yes, I read it), you will discover that his aim was bring about a socialistic revolution in this country. He was an atheist who had no problems declaring that the ends can justify the means. So there you have it – the local CCHD is funding an Alinskyite organization. While WIN may be affecting some benefit, greater harm is being done by lending legitimacy to these organizations. If nothing else, they are training grounds for individuals such as Barack Hussein Obama. I initially thought it a pity that the CCHD can’t get past the stench of these organizations until I realized that such stench defines the essence of what the CCHD actually is, and what it was founded to be by its founder, Alinsky friend and disciple Msgr Jack Egan. A more accurate usage of the acronym “CCHD” might be Catholics Conned by Humanistic Deception.

In general, we need to do away with this concept of donating to a “middleman” who will in turn decide who gets the dollars. Catholics need to take personal responsibility for the direction of their own charitable dollars and not to punt that responsibility to some other organization, even if that organization has the word “Catholic” in their name. My donation dollars will be going to organizations whom I’ve personally vetted and who will carry out both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and who will promulgate sound Catholic doctrine on the life issues.

Marshall And Hichborn On Social Justice Hoax And What You Can Do About It

Michael Hichborn has done extensive research over the years regarding "social justice" in the Catholic Church and the dangers that it poses to the eternal salvation of countless souls.  My Catholic Media Coalition colleague, Stephanie Block, also has done similar research; in fact, Hichborn acknowledges her contributions at the 31-minute mark of the video below.

In this video, Taylor Marshall interviews Hichborn regarding the shams that are the three main vehicles of this so-called "social justice".  They are: Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, and Catholic Charities.  While the video is long, I think it worth your while to listen closely to the whole thing.  We are obliged to inform ourselves of these matters, and we simply must invest the time to do so.

A word to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington.  I now link to the schedule for the second collections in 2019.  Please note these three approaching collections:

• May 12 - Catholic Relief Services.  For reasons discussed in this video, and many more, this (and the on-going Rice Bowl collection) must be boycotted. 
• June 23 - Peter's Pence.  In light of recent revelations regarding the stench that is in the Vatican, we dare not feed the corruption with our hard-earned dollars.
• August 4 - Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  Hichborn mentioned in the video that they try to disguise this collection.  That's why they call it "Catholic Communications and Human Development?.  Whom do they think they are fooling?

Very soon I will give some practical suggestions on notes to put into the envelopes, etc.  For now, please pay close attention to this video and spread this around.  Thank you.

Guess What Week It Is??

Are you ready?  It's (drum roll and trumpets, please)

NATIONAL IMMIGRATION WEEK!

If you were ignorant of this momentous occasion, I confess so was I!  But not all were so oblivious!  Certainly the progressives who wear miters aren't.  In the Chicago Tribune appears an editorial by Cardinal Cupich, opining that "It's Immigrants Who Have Made America Great".  Of course it's a screed for blanket amnesty for law-breakers.  Yes, immigrants have played a crucial role - immigrants that have respected the rule of law in the United States and who have earned their way as opposed to those who break laws and expect handouts.  As you read that piece, you'll see how Cupich obfuscates the difference between those who are decent law-abiding people and those who aren't.

Cupich went so far as to have two "immigrants" speak from the altar last Sunday.  Mahound's Paradise points out that one of these "immigrants who have made America great" is a Muslim who just happens to be a follower of a Muslim cleric whose idea of "jihad for the sake of Allah" includes "smashing skulls and severing limbs".  He also approves of Muslim women offering their, uh, "services" to these jihad lunatics.  Doesn't that sound like a dandy recipe for "making America great"?  This is the kind of spiritual poison that Cupich let into his church.  Lest we forget, Cupich wielded much influence at the Synod on the Family at Pope Francis' initiative.

Christopher Manion has some choice words for this politically correct pandering.  He points out that the great majority of American bishops do not stand up for central moral issues of our faith, e.g., abortion, homosexual conduct, but they will wax eloquent about amnesty for illegals and other progressive nonsense (global warming, etc).  He brought up the example of Cardinal Joseph Tobin defying then-Governor Mike Pence on the matter of enforcing immigration law.  Mind you, this is he same Tobin who couldn't be bothered to bestir himself when a Catholic facility in his diocese was being rented out for a "lesbian commitment" debacle, but he could huff and puff in the face of a governor who was simply carrying out his duties of office.  Let us recall that both Tobin and Cupich are recent recipients of the "red hat", again at the instigation of Pope Francis.

The USCCB has been busy on other "important" matters.  A few days ago, one of their task forces released a report to "root out racism".  They developed some recommendations.  The first one is to engage in Masses and rosaries.  They could have stopped right then and there for the other suggestions seem straight out of some Alinskyian play book.  Parishioners should be "trained in intercultural competence"?  Brainwashing much?  There is also "dialogues on racism and dialogue".  Got that?  We get to "talk about talking"!  But they save the best for last: beef up support for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Just put "Catholic Campaign for Human Development" or "CCHD" in the search box at the top left of this blog (by the magnifying glass icon).  You'll see a mountain of posts, with links to excellent material, regarding the inimical origins and nature of the CCHD.  Support for the CCHD has been dwindling throughout the years because decent Catholics are becoming more aware of the ultimate destinations of the money they contribute to the CCHD.  Despite pleas to the USCCB throughout the decades to reform the CCHD, the bishops refuse to address these matters.  The CCHD deserves not one red penny in donations.

How much evil these bishops could root out if they simply decided to return to the Catholic faith and being real bishops.

Operation #no2cchd Is Launched!

I address this mainly to my readers in the Archdiocese of Washington, but others should take note as well.

In the Archdiocese of Washington, the second collection for the Masses of Aug 10-11 will be for something called "Communications and Human Development".  It's really for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  In recent years, the CCHD has garnered some very bad publicity - and yes, the CCHD has earned its terrible reputation in spades.  I suppose the collectors think that by obfuscating the name of the collection that they can somehow bypass the bad press and fool Catholics into donating.

We are in the process of spreading the word.  A few days ago we mailed to almost 900 people within the archdiocese a postcard (linked here) to remind them of the terrible record of CCHD.  I understand that some have received their postcards already.  As the postcard suggest, please visit the sites of www.reformCCHDnow.com and www.CatholicMediaCoalition.org, as well as previous postings on this blog (see here and here for starters).

Now it's time to take action!  What to do?

1. Distribute copies of the postcards.  I'd think it most convenient if you'd print your own copies (download the pdf in the first link) to educate your friends and fellow parishioners.  Please do so before the collection weekend.
2. Spread word of the existence of ReformCCHDNow.com, CatholicMediaCoalition.org and this blog so that others can avail themselves of the research contanined therein.
3. Use social media to spread word of the boycott.  It would be helpful to use the hashtag #no2cchd in your Facebook and/or Twitter messages.
4. Questions/comments/suggestions?  Please post via the comments.
5. Above all, pray that the Lord have mercy upon those who exploit His Church for anti-God causes and that evil be expunged from this Bride of Christ.

PS

We all heard that Pope Francis told young Catholics to "shake up the dioceses" and "make a mess".  I have one objection to that?  Why invite only young people to have "all the fun"?  We middle-aged and older coots have been making respectable messes for some time now.  To be more precise, we make messes of messes.  That's precisely what we hope to accomplish with the debacle known as the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

CCHD And CRS - And Time To Boycott The CCHD Collection Again - Say #no2cchd

My Catholic Media Coalition colleague Stephanie Block recently published an article entitled "What Is Going On With Catholic Relief Services?"  I urge all to read it, as well as previous blog posts here regarding this entity.  She points out that CRS has a history of providing only real aid to needy people overseas, but has been going astray since it started receiving government funds in 1961 and then it started spouting "community organizing noises" like its CCHD cousin.  So what induced CRS to accept government funds?  I suspect such acceptance was merely par for the course, owing to the fact that CRS, like CCHD, is under the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  There are some who hold out a hope that these two organizations can be reformed.  Not I.  The entire USCCB needs to be tossed into the garbage.  But that is way in the future.  Right now we have another related duty that requires immediate attention.

Right now the federal government is operating under reduced capacity.  While the federal government has shut down many times in the past, never has it shut down under such a petulant man-child like Barack HUSSEIN Obama.  Life could go on as normal were it not for the fact that he and his Minions Most Mindless, particularly those in the Senate, are doing all they can to maximize discomfort to vulnerable people: aged veterans, military families, etc.  All during this, though, folks are beginning to wake up to the fact that Obamacare will be an unprecedented disaster.  But how did Obama get to the position that he currently holds?

In large part, we have the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to thank/blame for this mess.  Over the years, they have diverted millions of dollars (mostly collected during the November collection) to "community organizing" organizations who have in turn helped Obama and other progressives advance their political careers to where they know are in positions to inflict incredible damage.  Think ACORN, Gamaliel Foundation, PICO, etc - just a few of the recipients of Catholic cash.  Put "Catholic Campaign for Human Development" or "CCHD" in this blog's search box for much more information (actually, those phrases are hyperlinks).

Traditionally the CCHD collection was held in November throughout the US.  Because of the well-deserved criticism and the resulting boycotts of the collection, some dioceses have been holding their collections at other times (and even disguising the names, as did the Archdiocese of Washington) to catch us off-guard.  The DC collection was held in August, but was met with our "say #no2cchd" campaign.  Most of the nation's dioceses, however, will still conduct their CCHD collections in November - in other words, next month.  Click on the above link for more information.

Perhaps if the CCHD collection had dried up a few years ago, Obama's career might not have gotten off the ground.  Let's ensure that no other progressive lout derives benefit from our collection dollars.

The DC Chancery's Despicable Game Of "Bait And Switch"

As I mentioned in the Friday post, the Archdiocese of Washington devoted its second collection this weekend to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  For the whole sordid story of the CCHD, including its chequered origins, just put that organization's name in the box with the magnifying glass.

Despite promises to reform the CCHD and its granting procedures, the steps taken have been at best token.  No real change has taken place (a report is soon forthcoming) - and the bishops know it!  That's why all over the country, dioceses are trying their darnedest to hold the collections without drawing "unwanted attention".  They're changing the dates (some had their collections last month) and/or they're obfuscating the names of the collections.

Washington DC's progressive-infested chancery attempted both tactics this weekend.  Even at today's Mass, the thing was billed as the "Catholic Communications and Human Development Campaign" - that weird amalgamation of two organizations.  However, that purple "second collection" envelope clearly said "Catholic Campaign for Human Development".  Ladies and gentlemen, that's a classic technique of deception known as "bait and switch": call it one thing early on and at the last minute change the name.  I call that a bald-faced lie, and the "responsible" individuals at the DC Chancery really should march themselves right to a confessional for pulling that stunt.

I was alerted to this rather early, and tried to spread the word; I hope I had the assistance of many of you readers.  I trust also that many others were alert enough to notice this underhanded trick of the chancery.  Therefore I hope that they deem this second collection to be a miserable flop financially.  It certainly was a flop in terms of Christian ethics.

Catholic Relief Services Funding Pro-Abortionists In Mexico

In yesterday's post, I linked to an excellent article penned by Christopher Manion that outlined (among other things) the Holy Father's expectations regarding Catholic charitable institutions.  Three that come to mind are: Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities.  The alert individual will note that all three fall abysmally short of the standards set forth by the Magisterium for the conduct of Catholic charity.  Note, too, that the first two entities operate completely under the auspices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Manion's points seem to be underscored by today's article from LifeSite News.  Apparently Catholic Relief Services is funding a number of pro-abortion organizations in Mexico.  I've written a number of times about the less-than-stellar activities of the Catholic Relief Services.

Sometimes the Church's worst enemies can be found within her structures.  When that happens, the only remedy, besides prayer, is to starve the tumors.  That means to cut off any and all donations to Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities.

We Need To Follow Up Regarding Last Week's CCHD Collection

From my friends I've been hearing reports of last weekend's collection in their churches.  Not all pastors relished the distasteful task of taking this collection, but I can appreciate that they are between a rock and a hard place.  One pastor stated that the collection would be used for some parish needs.  Others announced the collection, but with disgusted grimaces on their faces.  Others could only bring themselves to mutter the words.  I can imagine that still other pastors were understandably confused by the ambiguous title given to the collection.  I can appreciate that these priests are between a rock and a hard place.  For obvious reasons, I will not divulge the churches in which these pastors undertook the collection with great reluctance and probably great disgust.

On Monday August 15th, one of my readers contacted the chancery and asked who was responsible for the way the second collection was announced.  She reached the office of Ms. Chieko Scheve, the new archdiocesan Director of Communications (who replaced Susan Gibbs, who had retired from her position).  She replied that the decision was that of Anthony Bosnick, who is both head of the Archdiocesan Legislative Network and of the Archdiocese Parish Social Ministry.  She also mentioned that the collection was meant to be a combination of two collections, that of the Catholic Communications Campaign and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Well, now we have a new set of questions.

1. If the August 13-14 second collection was intended to be a combination of two collections, why was that intention not explicitly disclosed to the parishioners in the pew?  What was announced this past Sunday was a collection for "Catholic communications and human development".  To the unsuspecting ear, it sounds like one entity.  The word "Catholic" is mentioned only once; the word "Campaign" is omitted altogether.
2. The actual envelope was designated as "Catholic Communication Human Development".  No hint of combination with another collection here!  The conjunctive "and" was missing.  What drove the selection of this particular phrasology?  If there would have been a convenient way to explicitly state that this collection was for two entities, the envelope would have been the perfect means.
3. Assuming that this past collection was really for two organizations, how will the collection proceeds be divided between the two?  What individuals are overseeing the allocation of funds?  Why was no option offered to the donors to specify how they wanted their donation dollars to be allocated?  Given that the CCHD has garnered well-deserved criticism, I think it was unethical not to give the parishioner the option to divert his/her hard-earned money from that very jaded organization.

In addition to his other duties, Mr Bosnick is the Coordinator for CCHD in the Archdiocese of Washington.  That link also takes you to his contact information.  We need to contact him to make our displeasure known. We should also contact the archdicesan communications director, Ms, Chieko Scheve; her phone number is (301) 853-5340.  Of course be polite, but be plainly-spoken as well. Perhaps other diocese will take a lesson from this.

Reason # 5,289 To Boycott The CCHD Collection - Say #no2cchd

Aleteia published a piece today by Steve Weatherbe entitled "Bishops React to Obama's Executive Order on Hiring Discrimination".  The article offers commentary on the USCCB's reaction of July 21 to Obama's action.  It's worth noting that one of the two authors is Archbishop Lori of Baltimore - who just applied for a federal grant to finance his aiding and abetting of illegal aliens.

He too seems to see through the smoke and mirrors that the USCCB is throwing up in the wake of this order.  They know that the federal funding spigot is about to be closed.  He quotes a statement by Michael Sean Winters of the Not-At-All Catholic Reporter: "Call me foolish, but I find it astonishing that a statement signed by an archbishop and a bishop on behalf of other bishops fails to mention God, makes no reference to the Bible, and is so utterly devoid of pastoral sensibility. This is the work of a lawyer, not a bishop."

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe this is the first time that I find myself in agreement with Winters.  They are not acting as successors to the Apostles.  Another "case in point" many years ago was the so-called "child-protection policies" crafted to ostensibly deal with the clergy sex-abuse scandal.  In the one found on the Archdiocese of Washington's site, not one mention of the words "sin" and "repentance" could be found.  They act like politicians, lawyers, insurance agents, social workers - anything but Catholic bishops!

Weatherbe also points out the reaction of Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities.  Apparently, Father is quite pleased with the executive order as it stands.  Now bear in mind that 67% of Catholic Charities' budget is funded by the US government.  A reasonable person might assume that Fr. Snyder would be concerned that his funding would be significantly reduced.  But he's not!  Why could that be?  I can think of only two reasons:

1. Father Snyder is hopelessly naive in thinking that federal dollars don't come with strings, OR
2. Father Snyder has no intentions of running counter to the "directives" to admit actively gay people into Catholic Charities circles.  They pulled out of gay adoptions, but that was largely at the orders of individual bishops.  Who can forget the lobbying firm, owned by an openly gay man, that they retained in 2011?  I'm also posting a video below in which Sister Jeannine Grammick of New Ways praises Catholic Charities for being gay-friendly; regrettably, she's probably correct. 

Guess which of the two I think is most likely the case?  Do we think it will be different for Catholic Relief Services or the Catholic Campaign for Human Development?  I certainly don't: especially when they're playing "henchman" for the Obama cartel's Central American human trafficking.

Next month the Archdiocese of Washington will have a second collection for the "Catholic Communications and Human Development Campaign".  It'll be during the weekend of Aug 9 - 10.  This is the third year, I believe, that they combined the CCHD collection with that of the Catholic Communications Campaign so that the name of the CCHD collection could be disguised.  As a further step in the deception, the ADW moved the CCHD collection from November to August.  The CCHD collection had come under well-deserved scrutiny and probably shrunk as a result.  They can't fool us.

I am urging a boycott of the second collection during the weekend of August 9-10 in the Archdiocese of Washington.  It is the CCHD collection.  Those of you in other dioceses should check to see when your CCHD collection will occur and boycott that.  Most are still in November, but some diocese have moved the collection.  At any rate, just say #no2cchd.   Now the video.  It's from last year, but quite relevant today.

"Right-Wing Bloggers" Attack Poor Little CCHD!

Doesn't that just make you want to grab a hanky and sob your eyes out? Such mean-spirited (another liberal buzz-word right out of Alinskyan text books) slobs we are, for telling the truth about the CCHD. Now from whom does this snivvel-drivvel originate? For this we can thank "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good" - or so they call themselves. Here's their desperate plea for assistance against our truth-telling.

(Begin email)
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has funded thousands of projects that have lifted people out of poverty and given our struggling neighbors the opportunity to live in dignity. For nearly 40 years, CCHD has empowered communities through grassroots organizing and economic development. The campaign has been on the frontlines of community development, neighborhood change, and social justice longer than any other church-sponsored domestic program.
Now CCHD is under attack and needs our support!
In recent months, the campaign has been attacked by right-wing bloggers and partisan ideologues. While they have successfully pressured CCHD to de-fund groups that have taken some positions opposed to church teaching, these critics have also launched a concerted effort to exploit the ACORN scandal to get CCHD to stop ALL funding for community organizing efforts. At least five dioceses have cancelled this year's collection. Several bishops have threatened to raise the issue next month at the U.S. bishops' annual meeting in Baltimore ...
(and another snippet)
The campaign embodies the Catholic call to have a "preferential option for the poor." Stand up against the extreme voices, and stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice, compassion and the common good.
(End quote)

The most precursory glance at the CACG website makes very plain that they are in bed with the most rabid liberals in Congress who want to shove Obamacare, with abortion and death care panels, down our throats. They're even touting a "40 Days for Health Reform" - an obvious copycat effort of the (genuinely) prolife 40 Days for Life effort. The CACG has even had the stupidity to chide the American Life League for its "Bury Obamacare with Kennedy" poster. They are appalled that ALL would "dishonor the legacy of the late Senator Edward Kennedy." In actuality, Senator Kennedy's legacy is 1) millions of murdered babies throughout the years and 2) dopey, arrogant children who dare to chide the Church for being true to its mission.

Let's look at some of the key players at CACG. Throughout the board, speakers' bureau and staff, we see lots of Pax Christi. Now on their staff, we have their Program Development Manager, James Kralovec. Among his credentials is an internship for the rabidly pro-abortion Congressman from Maryland, Steny Hoyer (now the Majority Whip). Notice some of the affiliations on the Advisory Council. AFL/CIO? SEIU? ACORN buddies all.

Let's look at the board chair - Alfred Rotondaro. He's also a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress in DC. Take a gander at that webpage to see what's on their little minds. On the right of the page is "The Progessive Pulse". (Important aside - the word "progressive" usually indicates socialist and/or atheist tendencies). Read what they consider a hand-wringer: "Will Abortion Derail Health Care Reform?" Of course they basically try to take Bart Stupak to the woodshed for championing the Hyde Amendment. Click on the "issues" tab and you'll see the mindset of the chair of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good!

Another board member, Dr. Joseph Fahey of New York is on the State Committee of the Working Families Party. Well, go to that website. That word "progressive" is festooned all over the place there. Now from where did this WFP originate? Here it is from their site:"formed by a grassroots coalition of community organizations, neighborhood activists, and labor unions". That's somewhat nebulous, but wikipedia gives a bit more detail. Yes, indeed, ACORN is one of the founders. Of course, WFP endorsed the Messiah Most Miserable for President.

I think that's enough to bring to light the questionable alliances of "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good." They obviously are in alliance with ACORN, union thugs and pro-abortion politicians and organizations. Their protests on behalf of CCHD renders all the more important our efforts to effect not only the defunding of the CCHD, but indeed its permanent dismantling.

Dissent-Fest At Catholic University Of America, May 2-3

Catholic University of America is hosting a conference entitled “120th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum: Church, Labor, and the New Things of the Modern World."  It will be held at the Edward J. Pryzbyla Center from May 2 till May 3.  More details can be found on this CUA page.

What we really have here is another venue from which to plug a progressive, socialistic mindset that masquerades as authentic Catholic social teaching.  It is anything but real teaching.  Let's look at the gang of usual supects that are some of the speakers at this thing.  It is quite eye-opening!

Good News From Our Parish Times!!

On page 2 of the May issue (or page 3 from the online pdf) we read of the Catholic Communications Campaign that is scheduled for May 27-28.  At the end of the article, we are advised that additional information is available at the USCCB site - and so it is.

"So why is this news particularly good?", inquring minds might ask.  Because it is a way that Catholics can contribute towards communication efforts without any of these donations being diverted to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  For years now, I and many other faithful Catholic bloggers have been sounding the alarm about the CCHD being a front organization whose only function it is to divert Catholic dollars towards progressive anti-life and anti-God organizations.  This fact leapt into the public eye during the ACORN scandals - an organization to whom the CCHD granted millions of our dollars throughout the previous years.

We do notice one curious thing, though.  Even though the Communications efforts appear to have their own collection, the Communications name is still linked to the CCHD on the archdiocese's schedule for second collections.  The collection scheduled for August 5-6 is still called "Catholic Communications and Human Development".  So does the chancery think that Catholics have such short memories and attention spans that we'll forget in August that a collection for Catholic Communications was held less than three months earlier?  That this name and date change for the CCHD collection is a deliberate obfuscation is beyond doubt.

As August approaches, we'll have more information regarding the boycott of the CCHD collection in August.   Suffice it for now to say that any such boycott does not have to impact Catholic Communications.

More Manifestations of USCCB Corruption

John Carr is the Director of USCCB's Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.  Among other things, The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is under the umbrella of this department, as is the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change (yes, they've glommed onto that junk science).  They also seem to be the organ of the USCCB that is clamoring for the socialist Obama Hell Care bill.

You may have noticed in the bio that he has also served as board chair of the Center for Community Change.  Click on that name for a look at their website.  Then click here  and here for closer inspections that reveals CCC to be rather ominous under its pseudo-idealistic veneer.  Actually, if you go back to the CCC website, just take a look at some of their board members (I find that to be most revelatory about an organization, as you get a feel for the philosophical orientations of the board by looking at their other affiliations).  You'll see folks from two left-wing labor unions.  One is the AFL-CIO.  I've led a number of pickets against John Sweeney, owing to AFL-CIO's push for contraceptives in health care policies.  You'll see someone from SEIU, the lovely bunch who acted as bully-bouncers at various town halls.  The presidnet of Ms Foundation for Women is there to lend a radical pro-abortion flavor to the bunch.  We see the ED of moveon.org there.  Get the idea?

Let's take a look at the executive director, Deepak Bhargava.  He used to be the Legislative Director of ACORN.  Now remember as you watch this clip that he and John Carr, USCCB's current Director of Justice, Peace and Human Development are closely tied through the CCC.



Now the big question is, why on earth did the United States bishops retain the so-called services of this man who is buddy-buddy with pro-aborts and socialists?  We all know, by the way, that John Carr is by far not the only rotten apple in that bushel.  The Les Femmes blog contains an excellent article detailing the systemic woes of the USCCB.  Please read it.  Jim Fritz, another Catholic Media Coalition affiliate, asked the question in his article, Is the USCCB Intrinsically Evil?

I've no bones about answering that last question with an emphatic "yes".  Take note that I believe the conference has become evil - not the bishops themselves, as they are the Successors of the Apostles.  However, as they continue to embroil themselves in that unsavory snakepit, they compromise their own ministries and poison the Church.

Suggested action item:  Let's tell the bishops that until they clean up this cabal, that you will not donate to any appeals.  Of course you would want to donate to a worthy group to fulfill the precept of supporting the Church's work.  But the Church's work does not include striking hands with the agents of the devil who want to undermine and destroy Catholicism.

Boycott the CCHD Collection on Nov 21-22

Despite the promises of the defunding of ACORN, it has been demonstrated that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development will continue to fund similar organizations. Given the very jaded origins of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, I believe that this whole corrupt pseudo-ministry of the USCCB should be dismantled and its remains thrown into the garbage. Our friends at Les Femmes (featured on "my blog list") have put together the following video.



Please study it. I also urge the studying of this by another colleague of the Catholic Media Coalition.



We simply cannot allow our donation dollars to be used to undermine the Church and to spread the Culture of Death. One of the videos suggest the dropping of an acorn in that collection basket. If acorns are not to be found in your area, write a note explaining why you're not contributing to this collection; place it in the CCHD envelope in lieu of money. You may use this template if you wish. Additionally, please make sure that you do contribute to a legitimate Catholic and/or prolife charity.

Speaking of Catholic Media Coalition, there is located on the website a repository of information regarding the CCHD. Please make use of it. Any questions/comments, please submit them.