USCCB's Lame Defense Of The CCHD

Preface: As I was writing my commentary below, Stephanie Block's commentary was published on Spero Forum.  It is excellent and I recommend that all read it.
___________________________________

Well, it had to happen.  The USCCB has come out with an attempt to rebut the American Life League's report of ongoing misuse of Catholic donation dollars by the CCHD.  The USCCB rebuttal is here.

The USCCB alleges that ALL's report is nothing but a "repackaging of past charges already addressed by CCHD".  To the USCCB: What are some examples of these "past charges" that have been corrected?  I for one see no specific examples cited in the USCCB rebuttal.  If no evidence of reform exists, I think it quite fair for ALL to broach those charges again.

One paragraph in the USCCB missive states, "They rely almost exclusively on unverified web-based information and primarily on internet sites of organizations that are NOT funded by CCHD.  These accusations are almost always made without contact with the CCHD funded groups or diocesan staff."  Again, I'd like to see some specific examples.  While we wait for such (and please don't hold your breath), let's look at some examples where the damning evidence is indeed on the CCHD grantees' websites.

I wrote an article last month that was published on Spero Forum and Defend Life.  In it I examined some Maryland-based CCHD recipients.  In the case for "Out For Justice", I pointed out where the very act of CCHD's funding of Out For Justice put them in partnership with the Open Society Institute.  I then pointed out how the very website addresses themselves made plain that "People Acting Together in Howard" and "Partnership for Renewal in Southern and Central Maryland" are branches (respectively) of the Industrial Areas Foundation and the Gamaliel Foundation.  Of course both these organizations - in their own websites - state quite openly their national affiliations with their Alinskyan parent organizations.

Here's a very confusing paragraph in the USCCB rebuttal: "Groups which work on legitimate issues were listed as 'partners' or 'members' of another organization which allegedly took actions in conflict with Catholic teaching. The CCHD funded group had never agreed to be a partner nor was a member of the other organization and had not participated in the development of an offending policy and was not even aware of the position that they were alleged to support. CCHD groups have asked that their names be removed and have protested the identification of their group with a policy that they had no role in developing, approving or advocating."  Some clarification is in order.  To wit:

• If a CCHD group was unaware of an aberrant position taken by another "partner" or "member" organization, how could they have known that they should "protest identification"? (Refer to underlined portion.)
• If indeed they were aware of another groups' anti-Catholic position and their name was misappropriated, why would not a CCHD group have initiated stronger action, such as a lawsuit?  At the very least, one might have hoped that they would post a disclaimer on their own site.
• Again (the perennial question), what are specific examples of such victimized CCHD groups?  Also please cite the actions they have taken to correct those unfortunate identifications.

Here's some more smoke and mirrors. "Other accusations involve several CCHD funded groups offering sessions on their good work at a large meeting of thousands of people and a thousand other workshops, including some workshops and other activities in conflict with Catholic teaching.  In researching these allegations with local dioceses and groups, there was no evidence of CCHD funded groups supporting or participating in the objectionable workshops or activity, but rather they shared their own experiences on issues of common concern with the Catholic community and CCHD."  I don't know of any conference, etc that offers a "thousand other workshops".  Usually these affairs offer maybe ten or twenty of them on given days during the conference.  By the very act of joining in a conference, an organization lends to other organizations the credibility (or lack thereof) of its reputation to that of the other organizations; conversely it assumes some credibility (or lack thereof) of the others.  Do the bishops think us so naive as to not realize that?  In fact, would they be so blithe if the CCHD were giving a workshop just down the hall from a Ku Klux Klan or neo-nazi workshop?  I think not.

Let me now call to all our minds an instance were indeed there was a real, authentic attempt to reform a diocesan CCHD program.  In August 2010, Rey Flores, who was then the CCHD Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago, did initiate some real reforms.  He rooted out a number of local grant recipients who were involved in anti-Catholic activities and replaced them with some pro-life pregnancy centers.  However, the old progressive cartel in the archdiocese, led by liberal priests, rose up to dismantle the reforms and to return the Chicago CCHD to its function of siphoning Catholic dollars to progressive organizations.  Flores himself was fired.  So much for "real reform" of the CCHD!  We heard not so much as one peep from the national CCHD office about this debacle in Chicago.  By the way, if ever there was a flouting of true social justice, it would be the treatment meted out to Rey Flores, who was fired for doing what he should have been doing - directing Catholic monies to worthwhile charities.  Where was the justice due to Flores, when he, a father of a young family was fired and had to scramble for another job to feed his children?

It is my serious contention that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is beyond reform.  It is a blight upon Catholicism that should be abolished as soon as possible. At the very least, it should be stripped of the name "Catholic" (which it did not have originally) and expunged from the Church.  Let's boycott any and all future collections and starve this nefarious beast.

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.

"Reform OF CCHD" - Smoke And Mirrors

You may recall that after the CCHD was embarrased by the publicity garnered by the ACORN scandals of last year.  ACORN, a major community-organizing conglomerate, made national news with its various corrupt activites including (but not necessarily limited to):

• Voter registration fraud
• Misappropriation of funds by high-ranking officials (most notably the Ratke brothers)
• Video stings showing ACORN giving advice on how to exploit underage girls for sex-trafficing to undercover reporters masquerading as pimps (This occurred in Baltimore!)

In the past, ACORN was a major recipient of CCHD funds.  Over the years, faithful Catholics have been warning the denizens of the CCHD, and the USCCB, of the corruption within the very foundation of ACORN.  Our warnings fell on deaf ears.  Thus, the humiliation of last year was long in coming - and totally avoidable.  The USCCB promised us that reforms have been undertaken, and now all is hunky-dorry with the CCHD.  Or is it?  The evidence points to the contrary.

Today the American Life League released a report of its review of the 2010-2011 CCHD grantees.  It is posted on the site www.reformcchdnow.com.  It is downloadable, as is the CCHD's list of grantees.  Take a look to see how the CCHD still funnels large sums of dollars donated by Catholic in the pew to organizations that work against the Church, against unborn children and that tear at the fabric of civilization itself.

For now, I'll direct your attention to pages 65-70 of that report, for it gives details on the anti-life leanings of a Maryland CCHD grant recipient, the United Workers' Association.  You'll see on that site how they've aligned themselves with Progressive Maryland and Equality Maryland.  On Speroforum is an expose on two other Maryland-based recipients of Catholic donation dollars.  Also on Speroforum, my colleague fron the Catholic Media Coalition, Stephanie Block has commenced a multi-part series that also examines recent grantees of CCHD funds.  Part 1 went online last weekend.

I will go out on a limb and say that there was no real intention on cleaning up the CCHD.  Ladies and gentlemen, it was founded with the intent of diverting the donations of unsuspecting and unquestioning Catholics towards "community organizing" outfits that are at emnity with the Church.  The empty promises of the USCCB to "reform the CCHD" was nothing more than a "CYA" strategem to once again lull Catholics into a false sense of well-being.  It's not working this time.  As more material is published online, I will be directing your attention to these.  We must all be informed.

For the Archdiocese of Washington, the CCHD collection has already occurred.  The collection for the Archdiocese of Baltimore is still in November.  I call upon all in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to boycott the CCHD collection this November.  Please redirect your donations to a truly Catholic and/or pro-life charity that will utilize your donations to the real benefit of people and the Church.

I now repost below an hour-long Vortex presentation on the CCHD, including its shady origins.  It's well worth the time spent in watching it.  Click here if you cannot see embedded video.

Vortex - "CCHD Should Demand Return Of Grants"

Some folks opine that Michael Voris' Vortex is a tad too hard-hitting: that he's too strident and blunt.  Or, to use their politically-correct lexicon, he's "mean-spirited, unkind, uncharitable".  In this particular episode, I'm of the opinion that he may actually be soft-pedalling the situation a bit.

CCHD - Boycott This In November - ALL Localities!

With all the rightly-placed focus on the elections that will occur in two days, I can understand that the upcoming annual CCHD collection this November has slipped the minds of many.  Alas, it is a reality that now cries for our attention.

In previous posts, I had suggested that we all boycott the CCHD collection in all localities with the exception of the Chicago Archdiocese.  At the time, their local CCHD director had taken significant steps to improve the grant-making process, defunding various progressive organizations and redirecting those monies to pro-life organizations and those actively engaged in the Works of Mercy.  Sadly, but not too surprisingly, that director was released from his position.  There was an internal drive to have him fired. 

This latest development in Chicago, plus the unusual delay in CCHD's release of the names of current grantees, leaves me with the regretable but necessary task of calling for the boycott of the CCHD in all locations, no exceptions.

CCHD's Pathetic Excuse For Vetting

Remember how the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, in the afterthroes of the ACORN scandal, promised us that all was hunky-dorry with its "vetting process"?  Well, you'll be shocked (just SHOCKED, I tell you!) to learn that this wonderful vetting process isn't as wonderful as it was cracked up to be !  Surprise, suprise, suprise!!

Lifesite News has details of the NYC AIDS Housing Network, a current CCHD grantee, and its flagrant violation of CCHD guidelines.  In its distribution of condoms, it violates Catholic teaching regarding contraception.  NYC AIDS Housing Network allegedly lied to the CCHD when applying for their grant.

The USCCB wrote about this group on their Facebook page, "During the time it was funded by CCHD, the organization went through the same rigorous vetting process that included the support of the bishop. If at any point the the dioceses or CCHD had found evidence that the organization was in any way involved with condom distribution, the grant would have been immediately canceled. There was no evidence of this."  However, the group was listed as a condom distributer on a governmental website.  How is it that this "rigorous vetting process" failed to determine that?  Additionally, private investigators phoned the group and were told that they indeed distribute condoms.  I suspect that these investigators did not expend much effort to learn that information; could not the CCHD vetting crew have at least done as much due diligence?

Moreover, on September 22nd, Michael Hichborn of American Life League met with senior CCHD officials to discuss these findings with them.  At the time, they remained adamant in dismissing Hichborn's findings, preferring to rely only on their perfunctory phone call to the NYC AIDS.  One can reasonably assume that such was the "rigorous vetting" to which they subjected all their grant applicants - so much for their due diligence with the hard-earned money donated to them by the Catholics in the pews.

Let's take a look now at the CCHD Grant Agreement.  On that pdf, please go to page 5.  Of interest is Section G-2.  It says, "In the event of termination of this CCHD grant, USCCB shall provide Grantee written notice of such termination and of the cancellation of any portions of the grant that remain to be paid. USCCB may, in its discretion, require Grantee to  refund to USCCB the full amount of the CCHD grant and to transfer title to USCCB of any property purchased by the Grantee with CCHD grant funds."   Will the CCHD leaders have the decency to demand return of the money?  I think not, but not because they lack courage.  I think in many ways they are of like mind with the leaders of NYC AIDS and all the progressives who strive to undermine our Christian moral underpinnings.

Please boycott the CCHD and let's help bring this monster down.

Washington's CCHD Collection In August - Not November

A friend of mine alerted me to this  I wouldn't have learned of this otherwise, since I don't use parish envelopes. 

Anyway, the Archdiocese of Washington is doing their in-pew collection for the CCHD in August.  In prior years they followed the rest of the country in adhering to a November schedule.  Here is the link to the Second Collection Schedule.  There does seem to be some error here.  The hyperlink clearly says "2011 Second Collection Schedule", but the pdf itself does state "2012 Schedule".  Therein the CCHD is slated for August 12, which would be the 2012 Sunday.  However, my friend has confirmed that her envelope states that the CCHD collection will happen this coming August 14th.

I checked the schedule for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  Their CCHD collection remains in November - at least for now.  So why is Washington accelerating their CCHD collection?  One can only speculate, but perhaps one hypothesis is that the CCHD offices don't want you to be informed as to the usage of your donation dollars.  This blog, and others, devoted much time to detailing the sordid origins of the Campaign for Human Development (the word "Catholic" was a relatively recent addition to the term).  Were they trying to "get a jump on us", as it were? 

One indication of an affirmative answer to that question lies in the minor name change to the collection.  Look at the ADW schedule again.  Notice that it's called "Catholic Communications and Human Development".  So they removed "Campaign for" and replaced it with "Communications and".  Well, so much for that ploy!

I urge you all to put the words "CCHD" in the "magnifying glass" box and read the material.  In particular, I make two suggestions.  First, examine all the material supplied by the Vortex, particularly the "CIA" piece on the CCHD and Saul Alinsky.  Second, go to the top right-hand corner and click on the "Catholic Media Coalition" logo.  That will take you to the CMC page, which itself contains a wealth of information on the CCHD.  I also urge you to google the words "CCHD Stephanie Block".  Ms. Block is a CMC colleague who has done yeoman's work in researching the CCHD; read that material.  This information will give you ample reason to not only boycott this CCHD collection, but to encourage others to do the same.

CCHD - Designed To Fund Marxist Revolutionaries

In this episode of the Anchor Team, Michael Hichborn gives the latest run-down on the CCHD, but then delves into the underlying principles that have been driving the CCHD during its entire sordid existence.  These principles have been the impetus for their funding decisions, and are now becoming obvious, owing to the damage that has been inflicted on the Church and civilization as a result. 

 At the 51:55 mark, we see that one of the CCHD grantees was into establishing what they called "deep democracy".  Hichborn goes on to explain how this is a form of marxism called anarcho-syndicalism.  In Hichborn's words, "its ultimate goal is the conquest by the workers of the means of production in order to change and revolutionize society."  With workers managing these means of production, the unions would be the backbone of the new socialist society.  So the CCHD is being used to transform society into a universal marxist society.  Alinsky and Egan visualized that goal right from the start of the CCHD.  Think back on all the CCHD-related posts on this blog and other locales.  They all expose organizations that are anti-God, socialist  and recipients of CCHD largesse.  

So the CCHD is funding organizations that attempt to bring about socialism.  A key point that Hichborn makes at the 58:50 mark is that to break down people's resistance to socialism, they have to break down the morality of the people.  That is why CCHD funds groups that promote sexual perversions, feminism abortion, etc.  The CCHD wants the immorality promoted to advance the socialist revolution.  Our American forefathers realized that.  We certainly can see it as we examine the culture, seeing that those wallowing in all sorts of sloth and hedonism are also quite infantile, lacking in any discipline and looking to government to be the "adult in the room" to cater to their needs and wants.

Hichborn states that is why we must get rid of the CCHD.  I'll go further and say that is just one reason why the entire USCCB and its state-level copycats (that means you, Maryland Catholic Conference!) need to be demolished.

Resume

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-approves-lgbt-pilgrimage-2025-jubilee/

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lgbt-priest-leads-mass-with-rainbow-flags-liturgical-dance-at-new-york-city-church/

CCHD - A Different Sort Of Prostitute

The CCHD of Boston has sunk to new lows in the foisting of Catholic money upon dissident groups.  According to this Boston Globe article, the Chelsea Collaborative, a community-organizing group that partners with "gay-rights" organizations, has received grants from the local CCHD from the years 2000-2007.  They have always known that their stances put them at odds with official CCHD organizations.

Last March a representative from the CCHD paid them a visit and emphasized the need for them to avoid collaborations with "gay-rights" efforts that are in variance with Church teaching if they wished to receive CCHD funds.  Gladys Vegas, Chelsea's executive director, made the decision to forego CCHD monies in favor of their gay alliances.  Chelsea returned a $40k grant and withdrew their organization for the following year.

One might think it might have been the end of that story.  We actually see an example of a CCHD staff person doing their job in making certain that Catholic monies remain untainted by association with dissident groups.  And to be clear, Ms. Vegas's actions were quite commendable.  Granted she didn't voice agreement with Catholic teaching, but at least she acknowledged it for what it is and respected the prerogatives of the Church regarding usage of Catholic donations.

Not nearly as honorable was the behavior of Randy Keesler, a CCHD "grant specialist".  He sent an email to Vegas to suggest that she should have contacted him first before returning the money.  He states,"“We have relationships and work in partnership with many organizations at the national level which differ from the Catholic church’s teachings."

In response to that most revealing (Freudian slip) statement, some questions need to be asked:

• In heavens' name, WHY?
• Surely there are enough organizations that don't oppose Church teaching that would be worthwhile partners.  Why not stick with those?
• Why on earth should a faithful Catholic want to donate one penny to the CCHD that is pathologically driven to kiss-up to organizations that oppose Church teaching?

As I was reading about this latest CCHD episode of insanity, the following verses from the prophet Ezekiel came to mind (Ezekiel 16:33-34) "Gifts are given to all harlots: but thou hast given hire to all thy lovers, and thou hast given them gifts to come to thee from every side, to commit fornication with thee. And it hath happened in thee contrary to the custom of women in thy fornications, and after thee there shall be no such fornication: for in that thou gavest rewards, and didst not take rewards, the contrary hath been done in thee."    

The following verses would make for worthwhile reading, too.

For those of you who might think I'm over the top in comparing the CCHD with prostitutes, please recall this less-than-lovely incident that occurred in Baltimore several years ago.

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;

Real Reform At Chicago CCHD!

Lifesite News reports that the Chicago office of the CCHD has undertaken significant reform since a new director, Ray Flores, took the helm a year ago.  He has moved to defund several recipient groups that espoused philosophies at variance with Church teaching in life/morality matters.

Local pregnancy centers have so far benefitted significantly.  One of them was able, as a result of monies received from CCHD, to upgrade to a 4D sonogram.  Hitherto, CCHD policy prohibited donations to pro-life groups (I believe that is still the case on the CCHD national level).  Chicago CCHD is now able to retain 50% of donations from the local parishes, as opposed to the 25% retention allowance for the rest of the nation.

Please read this entire Lifesite News report.  This is extremely significant, as the Chicago CCHD collection is the largest in the nation, and CCHD started in Chicago in 1959.

The question of the day is, "Will the national CCHD follow Chicago's lead and start to adhere to Catholic social teaching?"  At present, it doesn't.  Thus, at this time I must suggest another nationwide boycott of the CCHD collection, with the obvious exception for the Chicago area.

How Can One Tell When It's CCHD Collection Time?

One answer to that question is "when the CCHD and their supporters start their preemptive screeds against faithful Catholics concerned about their left-wing leanings".  For example, David Gibson of Religion News Service starts his piece by claiming that "conservative activists are threatening the social mission of the Catholic Church... by attacking the Church's flagship anti-poverty program with 21st-century style Catholic McCarthyism."  

Of course he refers to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  Obviously Mr. Gibson is unaware that the CCHD, by policy, gives no money to organizations that directly perform the Corporal Works of Mercy.  Perhaps Mr. Gibson knows that and he doesn't give a hoot.  At any rate, CCHD has traditionally given grants - collected from Catholics during the in-pew collections - to organizations that seek to "change social structures and policies".  That quote is taken from one of their flyers.  More often than not, these organizations are socialist in nature, along the lines of Saul Alinsky.  Indeed, the CCHD was originated by Msgr Jack Egan, an associate (and disciple) of Saul Alinsky for the express purpose of syphoning Catholic resources to fund these community-organizing endeavors (Barack Obama cut his political teeth while working with the Gamaliel Foundation, one such group).  But this blog's previous posts have delved in detail into CCHD's sordid past - no need to rehash that here.

Gibson cites as his main source Faith in Public Life - you know, the progressive outfit funded by George Soros.  Here is the link to the 24-page report that snivels about the "growing threat".  If anything's a "growing threat", it's the tentacles of progressives that infest the bowels of the USCCB offices.  I count it as a high compliment to be among those they perceive as a "threat" to them siphoning Catholic money to their causes, but I digress.  

A perusal of page 2 of their report will give you quite a number of progressives and Obama supporters; many of these individuals and entities can be entered into this blog's search box for more information: Pax Christi,   Thomas Chabolla, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, Catholics United, LCWR, the disgraced Bishop Gumbleton, Stephen Schenk.  The rest of that report will need to be studied in greater detail.  

Getting back to Gibson's article, I must mention one line that is so silly as to be downright amusing.  He complains about the "well-financed network" that we are, in his third paragraph.  I think I can speak for many of my compatriots when I say that none of that "finance" has greased our palms!  On the other hand, when multi-billionaire George Soros has his paw-prints all over Faith in Public Life and its endeavors, it's not too hard to see where the cold cash really flows.

Lest anyone think that this Gibson piece is just a flash in the pan, I now link to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times by Mark Brown.  Recall that recently, a "gay marriage" bill was defeated in Illinois.  Now Brown is waxing ominous about the Church "playing hardball" with groups that supported perversion of marriage.  He's complaining that the CCHD there might cut off their funding.  Imagine that!  The Catholic Church expects those receiving Catholic money to honor Catholic principles!  Here's hoping they hold firm.  Anyway, we can see how the mainstream media is marching lockstep behind the progressives who are trying to leech money from Catholics to undermine Christian principles.

There will be more on this.  For now, I (and I'm sure my friends) take it as a high compliment that the CCHD apologists feel they have to do this preemptive "damage-control" to restore what at one time was an easy source of cash from unsuspecting Catholics.  We're "unsuspecting" no longer.  The truth is coming out.  Please read the FPL report, and also study the report put out by the Reform CCHD Now Coalition.

More Insights And Information Regarding The CCHD

As I promised on Monday, I am forwarding to you additional articles on the CCHD (Catholics Contributing to Hell's Demons).  Here are some just recently published.

My friend Stephanie Block has released the second part in her four-part series.  Here it is.  Also read a blog from a Dallas area Catholic who writes "Reformed" CCHD worse than ever.   Read the fourth comment below that.  If that is correct (and it just might well be), what we have is good old-fashioned Chicago-style shakedowns in the time-honored tradition of Al Capone himself.  Why not?  The nightmare known as CCHD was spawned in Chicago, after all.

Oh, by the way.  The CCHD Fan Club is springing to the defense of this Alinskyan cash cow.  We have US Catholic whining "here we go again".  The article is quite laughable.  It assures us that CCHD is on the up and up because the diocesan CCHD directors monitor it; in other words, the hens are safe because the fox is guarding them.  Now here's a real bone-headed statement.  I quote "the Reform CCHD Now folks have never personally gone to CCHD staff with their concerns."  Au contraire!  They sent their report to each and every bishop well in advance of release.   None of this was news, anyway, for we have been raising these concerns for years now.  Then the author has the nerve to try to apply Matthew 18 and to say that the authors failed to obey it.  That would only strictly apply if the sin in question was personal - but many, many people have been wronged, and thus it must be addressed publicly.  The author mocks what he calls "guilt by association".  Gee - I wonder if he'd be so nonchalant about "guilt by association" if the association was with the Ku Klux Klan. 

There is no reason why we need to associate with questionable organizations to assist the poor.  There are plenty of decent charitable organizations that do not in any way taint themselve with others that advocate murder of babies.

On Facebook was posted the video below.  Watch to the end, particularly for Goal 27 (you'll understand when you see it).  Click here if you cannot see embedded video.

CCHD Helping To Foment Riots

Now that all the thugs and hoodlums have returned to their mommies' basements (or converged on Seattle) and the cleanup has begun, let us take a hard look at a cabal that seems to have taken the lead in organizing these riots.  And yes, they were organized and fomented.  We turn our attention to a bunch called Black Lives Matter.

They are an organization, with their own website.  Please take a look at what they believe, in their own words.  Their beliefs are (in their own words):

• "all black lives matter, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity"  Here they made quite the Freudian slip, differentiating between "actual" and "perceived", they admit that "perceived" can be a denial of reality
• "dismantle cis-gender privilege" 
• "disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure"  The welfare state beat them to that.  Anyone with a scintillia of common sense understands that children without their fathers in the home are more likely to live in poverty, fall into crime, etc.
• "queer-affirming network"

There is no mention at all of addressing the real problems of impovershed people (and not just black): high crime, dependence on government, denigration of marriage, drugs, etc.  In fact, some of those so-called "beliefs" and "goals" would only exacerbate their problems.

If you detect a bit of put-down of men in reading their beliefs, you are not imaging things.  BLM was founded by three feminists.  IMHO, no self-respecting man can go along with this crap or he will earn the title "hen-pecked".

Mass Resistance has some more history on this outfit, worth a read.  They delve more into the sordid alliances in which BLM is embroiled.  All these progressive organizations intertwine with each other.  We see that addressed in this LifeSiteNew article.  Regrettably, one of those "social justice grifters" is the US Catholic hierarchy.  Didn't we see that made manifest by the disgraceful actions of the archbishop of Washington DC?  Check out my three previous posts.

A key goal of the BLM crowd is the abolition of local police departments.  Sadly, some liberal loony politicians are glomming onto this; the Minneapolis City Council and NYC Mayor DiBlasion come immediately to mind.  So just who do these politicians think they will call, should someone be breaking into their homes?

Michael Hichborn of Lepanto now brings us the revelation that another arm of the US Catholic hierchy is aiding and abetting the BLM ilk, particularly in finances.  Yes, it's the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).  He has gathered and presented evidence that CCHD is funding organizations calling for the killing of police officers and fomenting riots just as we saw last week.  Doing some quick arithmetic as I read through the artilce, riot-fomenting groups have received a total of over $1M of Catholic dollars.  Several people have been murdered in last week's riots, some precisely because they were police officers.  The money that CCHD sent to these violent groups implicates them in those murders.  The CCHD has blood on its hands.  Moreover, anyone who contributes to the CCHD, with knowledge of these donations, also must answer for the mayhem and murder of these past few days.

It will do no good to ask CCHD to reconsider their grant practices.  They were founded by allies of Saul Alinsky for the express purpose of diverting Catholic dollars to seditious and atheistic organizations.  We simply must stop giving to CCHD.  I stopped decades ago.  This CCHD beast needs to be starved of cash.

Guess Who Baltimore CCHD Is Funding?

Just what stellar organization won grants in 2008 from Baltimore's Catholic Campaign for Human Development? Hint - you'll go NUTS over them!
Yes. Catholics of Baltimore, watch the following (two parts ) to see your contribution dollars - at work!




Now let's take a look at the Baltimore CCHD's 2008 Grants. Some careful examination is in order because this thing might be a bit tricky. For instance, look at the "National Economic Development Grants" section. What's the second item? Why, it shows that $35,000 was granted in 2008 to that same organization you just watched in the above video. Did you note the identical addresses? Just below that you read a disclaimer stating that "no national CCHD funds will go to ACORN.."

Well, that's nice! But what about local CCHD funds??

Go further down in that report - to "Local Grants". Does the recipient listed in item 4 look familiar? It would seem that between national and local CCHD, the would-be facilitators of underage prostitution received $45,000 of Catholic grants, funded (at least in part) by your donations during that second collection in November.

Speaking of November, yet another CCHD pew shakedown is looming upon us. Once again, we are urging a total boycott of this collection. Instead, please give directly to a truly Catholic pro-life organization, such as Human Life International, American Life League, Priests for Life or a truly faithful religious order such as Marians of the Immaculate Conception or the Missionaries of Charity.

The effectiveness of the boycott is magnified greatly if you communicate to the "boycottee" why they are being boycotted. Please go to this blog's sister site and scroll down halfway to the "Boycott the CCHD" posting. Therein you'll find some flyers that you may wish to put in that second collection envelope in lieu of money. Also, please see this page from the Catholic Media Coalition to see more ways that the CCHD monies are used to undermine Catholic faith and morals in public life.


Now it's time for another guessing game. What was one major catastrophic result of the CCHD/ACORN collusion? Give up? Well, here's a hint!

Yes, indeed. The Messiah Most Miserable got his start in Chicago as a "community organizer" for Alinskyite organizations such as ACORN. Currently ACORN is under investigation in several localities for alleged voter fraud - fraud that most likely put into the White House a most dangerous occupant - for the unborn children, the vulnerable sick and elderly and Christian civilization at large.

ALL Releases Report On 2011-2012 CCHD Grant Recipients

On Saturday October 13, Michael Hichborn of American Life League was a guest on blog-talk radio.  During that interview he announced the upcoming release of ALL's latest report on the CCHD grantees.  He highlighted some of the more blatant violations of CCHD guidelines by several grantees.  You can listen to the program here.

American Life League has just published its latest report on the CCHD grantees on the Reform CCHD Now site.  On that main page you'll notice bar graphs to the right.  Note that during these past few years the total number of grantees has been decreasing.  Conversely though, note that the number of grantees in violation of CCHD guidelines has been increasing.

On the main page, click on the "Reports on Grantees" tab.  You'll see an introduction, the main report itself and a moral theologian's review of the report.  The theologian is Dr. William Marshner of Christendom College.  The main report lists the problematic grantees; the names are hyperlinked to take you to the appropriate detail.

A rather troubling DC-are grantee is Empower DC.  Hichborn talked a bit of this one on the radio program. As you look at the "problem" section at the top of the page, please note that EmpowerDC itself took these anti-life positions; they weren't merely partners with other organizations that did so (although that itself would have been problematic to say the least).  In his theologian's report, Dr Marshner stated that the act of granting funds to EmpowerDC placed CCHD - and thus the Church itself - in a position of formally cooperating with grave moral evil.  But there's more!

On July 17th I did a blog piece on EmpowerDC and its utter unworthiness of receiving CCHD funds and found even more unsavory alliances.  I was surprised by what I discovered in doing my research: that EmpowerDC and St Augustine Catholic Church in DC use the same street address.  If you listen closely to the radio program, you'll hear that Hichborn wasn't aware of that unsavory fact.  Now consider - without the knowledge of the shared address, Dr. Marshner concluded that the donation of money to EmpowerDC placed the Church in formal cooperation with grave moral evil.  Now we know that not only did the Church contribute $50k to this anti-life bunch, but they lent use of a Church address to the same.  Might they also have lent office space, staff etc to them?  What that means, ladies and gentlemen, is that the degree of formal cooperation is even more profound than originally realized.

Within the next day or two I will be posting more on this.  Of course I reiterate my clarion call to abolish the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  All November collections to CCHD should be boycotted.

Local CCHD Funds Alinskyite Organization

If anyone thought that the local CCHD in the Archdiocese of Washington was not funding any innimical organization, please be advised that they are.  Proof can be found in the November 11th issue of the Catholic Standard, page 9.  If you don't have a copy, no problem - it's online right here.

We read that Holy Comforter-St Cyprian parish has a "relationship" with the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), which in turn receives CCHD funding.  Let's look at the website of the Washington Interfaith Network.  Right off the bat we see that they are affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).  Let's look at the "about the IAF", then "overview" page.  They unabashedly admit to being founded by Saul Alinsky, the self-proclaimed "radical" who has made it his publicly-stated aim to remake our country into his image of a socialistic utopia.  Read his book, "Rules for Radicals", obtainable anywhere online.  Read as he states quite plainly that he believed that the "ends justify the means".

Let's go to the "links" page and look at VOICE.  My colleague at Les Femmes, being based in Virginia, has done much research on them.  Rather than rehash what she's learned, I post two of her links:
http://lesfemmes-thetruth.blogspot.com/2009/09/fr-mitch-pacwa-and-thoughts-on-alinsky.html
http://lesfemmes-thetruth.blogspot.com/2009/09/fr-gerry-creedon-trivializes-murder-of.html
http://lesfemmes-thetruth.blogspot.com/2009/09/turn-up-heat-on-catholic-campaign-for.html

Have you noticed something that seems to be a problem for the CCHD, everytime there's an effort to convince Catholics that the CCHD is "on the up-and-up"?  Their very attempts betray more squalid associations.  They simply can't get away from the putrid stench of Alinskyite organizing.  I regret saying that there is an obvious reason to this plight of theirs.  That foul stench doesn't merely permeate them; it is the very essense of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Let's step away from the dubious entanglements and look at some of the problematic statements made by archdiocesan officials.  Anthony Bosnick, the director of the archdiocese's Department for Charity and Justice, stated that the CCHD helps to "reach out to the poor and vunerable and that's really the most important thing that we can do as a community."  Well, that's not my understanding of the mission of the Church.  As I see it, and as I've been taught, the primary mission  of the Church is about the saving of souls.  That's not to say that "reaching out to the poor and vulnerable" isn't important.  It is an important thing that we do, but it is NOT "the most important thing."  Msgr Charles Pope, pastor of the church mentioned above, said something similar, "Certainly care for the poor is central to the Gospel, and every Catholic should support the poor."  Again, is not eternal salvation central to the Gospel?  Of course it is.

Now why do you think there is the emphasis on "reaching out to the poor" at the expense of eternal salvation?  Here it is, in a nutshell.  Saul Alinsky, the inspiration behind the CCHD, was an atheist.  As a non-believer in eternity, he saw only the here and now as being reality.  Unfortunately, some of the apologists for the CCHD are unwittingly chanting that Alinskyan mantra, even though they themselves believe in eternity.

Again, I urge a complete boycott of the CCHD collection this weekend.

"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.

If You Saw Our Postcard

Welcome to this blog, if this is your first visit.  We are dedicated to reminding one and all of the timeless truths of our Faith and to bringing Catholics back to fidelity to the Magisterium.  That includes reminding of the primacy of the sanctity of life and family in matters of morals, as opposed to dilution and even pollution with other issues that can be a segue into socialism and eventual atheism.

The postcards that you may have seen, either in the mailbox or at church this weekend, are part of an effort to thwart the siphoning of Catholic resources that would otherwise be surreptitiously sent to organizations that are opposed to Catholic moral teachings.  The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), since its inception, has been an avenue for diverting the donations of sincere Catholics towards causes that they no doubt would find abhorrent.  You might remember that a few years ago, a "community organization" known under its acronym "ACORN" was involved in massive voter-fraud schemes in several states.  They were also shown to be coaching (undercover agents posing as) pimps into "best practices" for running brothels.  During the past few decades, the CCHD has funneled millions of dollars towards this nefarious organization.  We had been pleading with CCHD to cease these grants, but their ears were deafened to us.  Only when these scandals made national news was CCHD shamed into defunding ACORN.  However, CCHD continues to fund many other questionable organizations.

I link now to a previous post.  It was written just after we released our postcards into the mail.  In that post is a downloadable link to the postcard, as well as links to valuable background information regarding the CCHD.  Please take the time to study it.  I realize it'll take a bit of time, but there's years of sordid CCHD history with which you should become familiar as you evaluate any course of action to take with them.

Please boycott this collection and send your donation dollars to an organization that respects Christian morality and actually practices the Works of Mercy.  In your collection envelope next week, you might want to write a note explaining why you won't donation.  For instance, you could write, "I cannot donate to CCHD because it funds organizations that work to undermine the Catholic faith and Christian morality".

Please spread the word.  If you use Facebook and/or Twitter, please use hashtag #no2cchd.  Thank you.

A Stinging Indictment Of The Chicago CCHD

More details are now surfacing regarding the derailment of the reforms of the CCHD in the Archdiocese of Chicago.  One might ask why I'm focusing so much on Chicago, since I'm from the Archdiocese of Washington?  There are two reasons.

1. The CCHD had its origins in Chicago.  That's where Msgr Jack Egan, friend and disciple of Saul Alinsky, conceived this swindling scheme later known as the CCHD.  To this day, it still garners the largest collection in the nation.
2. Lately, the CCHD has been crowing and waxing sanctimonious about its overly-vaunted "reform and renewal".  It was in the Chicago archdiocese where we were seeing some real efforts and progress in implementing such reforms - reforms that have been sabatogued by renegade archdiocesan priests.

LifeSiteNews spoke with Rey Flores, the courageous ex-director of the Chicago CCHD, who lost his position at the behest of these sabatouers.  By the way - as you read the article and see the picture, please do not assume that is a picture of Mr Flores.  It is not.  It is a picture of Father Larry Dowling, who is leading the charge to undo the corrections that Mr. Flores implemented.  If you were confused, that's understandable, since Father is not dressed in his clerics.  What?  Do you really think a priest who's hell-bent on removing the "Catholic" from the CCHD would give a rat's behind about looking like a priest?  In a strange way, it's just as well - but I digress!

In this article are snippets of a letter that Mr. Flores wrote.  The entirety of this letter appears to be in this episode of the Vortex, shown below.  Click here if you can't see embedded video.



Another important point - the USCCB is indeed NOT releasing the names of its intended grantees until the collection has already taken place.  From a purely secular viewpoint, it's simply unethical on their part - and more so from a truly Catholic viewpoint.  What, oh what, are they trying to hide?  Visit http://www.reformcchdnow.com for more information.

Please - do not give to the CCHD collection so much as one red penny.  Give any such donations to a crisis pregnancy center (the ones in Maryland are particularly beleagured after the recent attacks they've endured) or other solid charities that actually do practice the Works of Mercy.