How Faithful Catholics Can Do Operation Rice Bowl - #no$2crs

Today is the first Sunday of Lent.  On this day, the ubiquitous cardboard "rice bowls" from Catholic Relief Servcies are in all Church lobbies to be picked up by unsuspecting parishioners.  I say "unsuspecting" because many, if not most, of these parishioners have no idea that CRS is funding the distribution of contraception, abortifacients and "population control" propaganda to the people whom they are ostensibly assisting.

The Lepanto Institute has done stellar work in exposing the malevolence of the Catholic Relief Services.  They recently published a piece outlining some of their most egregious violations of Catholic moral teachings.  In that post, Hichborn published a slip that can be used during CRS collection times.  Please keep that page open; I'll return to it in a minute.

Hichborn didn't include every wrong of the CRS in his litany; others can be found here (and this is most likely not exhaustive either).  Let me highlight a few other "lowlights" from CRS's checkered record.

• Thanks to Lepanto, we learned that a CRS vice president was "married" to his accomplice in the mortal sin of sodomy.  The man made no secret of it, blasting it all over his twitter page.  It was only after public scrutiny was brought to bear on the situation that the man resigned.
• In 2005, while Terri Schiavo was being deliberately starved to death in the Diocese of St Petersburg Florida, the local bishop, Robert Lynch gave thinly-veiled approval to her murderous husband to have his way with her.  At the time, Bishop Lynch was chairman of the board of CRS.  That brings us to the third "bullet".
• The pro-euthanasia crowd in Florida was being heavily funded by George Soros during the struggle for Terri's life.  If you read the link from the second bullet, you'll see that Soros was also funding CRS (along with other progrssive "katholyc" organizations).
• Please read my anthology of prior posts and follow the links to learn more of CRS.  Clearly they are utterly unworthy of one penny from faithful Catholics.

So how do we faithful Catholics do Operation Rice Bowl?  First, we give them not one red cent.  As Lepanto stated in that first link, there will be more information released; I'll notify you as it becomes available.  So here are the steps to our Operation Rice Bowl.

1. Pick up one of those "rice bowls" from your church lobby and assemble it.
2. At the bottom of the Lepanto article is a note that you can use to let CRS know why you'll not contribute.
3. Place that note in your now-assembled "rice bowl".  I intend to sign mine, but that's optional.
4. When your parish announces that it's time to return the rice bowls to church, please do so.  Yours will have the note and no money.

Like most progressive "katholyc" organizations, the only language CRS seems to understand is that of $ka-ching$.  Well, let's speak it and encourage all faithful Catholics to do the same.  Give the money that you would have donated to CRS to a worthy organization, such as your local pro-life pregnancy center.  Please spread the word on your own social media cites and among your contacts.

Lepanto Institute Speaks Truth, USCCB Shrieks In Fear Of Exposure

Some time ago Lepanto Institute exposed the fact that the Catholic Relief Services is acting in concert with organizations spreading the culture of death, itself participating in the distribution of contraceptives and abortifacients.  When Lepanto's report was released, the CRS predictably went into "damage control" mode.  Hichborn called them out on it.

The CRS is under the direct control of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The USCCB is having its semi-annual meeting in Baltimore, starting today.  Michael Hichborn, president of Lepanto, penned an open letter to the US bishops regarding CRS's misbehaviors.  Also today Archbishop Paul Coakley, USCCB Chair, asked the prelates in attendance to pay no attention to Lepanto's hours of research and the evidence pointing towards CRS's complicity with evil.  His request is itself a betrayal of fear and resentment at having the dissidence of CRS, along with the USCCB, brought into light.

LifeSiteNews has details of Carolyn Woo's sniveling reaction to Lepanto's work.  I don't think she realizes what she revealed when she claimed that "original sin was kind of abstract".  In her time at CRS, particularly with the cover-up of the "gay-married" CRS vice president, she betrayed an abysmal lack of basic Catholic moral teaching.

As always, the only language that gets the attention of the progressives who occupy high places in the USCCB is the language of money.  Thus, in addition to prayer, we must speak that language by withholding our donations.  It is not time for the annual in-pew CRS collection.  However, the in-pew collection for its national counterpart, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (also under direct USCCB control) is this coming weekend.  I urge all to boycott that collection this coming weekend.  Here are some tools to assist you in this boycott.

American Life League Releases Report On CRS Grants

American Life League released today a report on various grants issued by the Catholic Relief Services during the year 2012.  It is quite well-researched; I urge its study.  Judie Brown, on the American Life League website, issued more comments about the state of affairs at the CRS.

In related news, the National Catholic Register commented about the latest CRS scandals.  In their article, they commented on an interview that they conducted with Dr. William Marshner, moral theologian at Christendom College.  In that interview, Dr. Marshner appears to exonerate CRS a bit.  However, in a subsequent interview with LifeSiteNews, Dr. Marshner stated that at the time of his Register interview,  he did not realize how integral is the distribution of contraception and abortifacients to the work of Population Services International.  He stated that if he were asked again that he would defer to the wishes of the local bishops and he agreed that PSI should have received no CRS funds.

In the video below, Michael Hichborn highlights the ALL report.  He draws some comparisons between CCHD and CRS.  I will opine that he gives CCHD and by extension, the USCCB, way too much credit for cleaning up their act.  They are indeed putting forth token efforts, but that's due only to the increased scrutiny under which the CCHD has found itself - in large part due to the herculean efforts of Hichborn and others.

I've stated this before and will keep on repeating it.  Not only should the CCHD and CRS be defunded, but the entire USCCB should be abolished and swept into the dung heap of infamous history.

Fund Progressives In Disguise

The title of this post should be the title of this flyer to the right, for that is what we are being asked to do.  This was enclosed in our parish bulletin today.  Because there was no second collection today I realized this in-pew shake-down will happen in the near future.  Sure enough, here is the second collection schedule for the Archdiocese of Washington, showing it scheduled for May 13, two weeks from today.

Lepanto Institute, led by Michael Hichborn, has done much research into Catholic Relief Services.  Much of that research has been featured in previous posts in this blog on CRS (as well as additional research).  Among the many insults to Catholic faith and moral teaching committed by the CRS, we find the following:

• the employment of flagrant sodomites in executive positions
• the distribution of condoms and abortifacients by CRS staff
• the funding and cooperation with other international organizations for the distribution of contraceptives, often against the wishes of local authorities.

Read that flyer very carefully.  Notice how most of the language centers around the theme of immigration.  Is that because there is really all that much compassion for the immigrant - or might there be other rea$onS?  Yes, I used dollar signs deliberately, for the CRS gets quite a bit from the feds to settle immigrants, regardless of legal status.  I link now to an article written by Deal Hudson on how CRS and other Catholic organizations have sold their souls for federal dollars.  Hudson brings out a good point by stating that those who contribute to CRS give to anti-Catholic outfits twice: once via federal income taxes and again through the donation.

Catholic Relief Services continue to prove why the "CRS" might well stand for "Catholics Riddled with Scandals".  They deserve not one red cent of the money of decent Catholics.  Please boycott this collection.  Say #no2crs.  This Lepanto article has a form at the bottom that you can put in your CRS collection on May 13.  Readers in other areas should check their second collection schedules as they may vary from place to place.  As the collection time draws near, I will be posting reminders.  Please pass this along to your email lists and other social media outlets.  Thank you.

P.S. - Please check your envelopes.  If your envelope gives a different date, please advise via comments.  Thank you.

Lepanto Institute Exposes Catholic Relief Services

Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute has recently completed a month-long investigation of the malfeasances of the Catholic Relief Services.  The resulting report is quite long, owing to the voluminous evidence found that quite frankly, incriminates CRS and the entire USCCB for actions committed agaisnt Catholic faith and morality.  Because his findings were so extensive, Hichborn has opted to release his reports in installments.

Today he released the first one and it can be found here.  This one focuses on CRS's involvement in the distribution of condoms in Africa.  Mind you, CRS isn't merely partnering with other organizations that are doing the condom distribution.  CRS is doing the deed themselves - funded by donations from faithful Catholics.  That leads me to my next point.

Lent has just started and we have all seen the obiquitous "Operation Rice Bowl" things in our church lobbies.  A few days ago, I suggested what you could do with them.  You can do the same when CRS conducts its in-pew collection in mid-May.  The precsie weekend is May 17.  I believe the schedule for this collection is nation-wide, but check your envelopes.  Let's not only starve this beast, but let the "powers-that-be" know exactly why they won't get one penny from us.

Catholic Relief Services In Its Biggest Scandal - To Date

Last week William O'Keefe, a CRS vice president, asked Congress to fund USAID to the tune of nearly $9 billion.  They intend that it goes to PEPFAR and other agencies that distribute contraceptives.  Lepanto Institute discovered this and did much research.  There is no need to rehash the report here for I won't do it justice.  I urge you to read it on the Lepanto page.  Do note, though, that O'Keefe was a Clinton supporter.

During Lent, we have probably seen the ubiquitous CRS "rice bowls".  Michael Hichborn, president of Lepanto, noted that 2/3 of CRS's budget comes from federal grants.  Well, golly gee!  Why aren't People for the American Way and the Freedom from Religion Foundation all up in arms about federal funding of the CRS?  Could it be because they know that CRS has been run by progressives now for many years?   He suggested that in lieu of money, to write a note that says we already contributed via our tax dollars.  Drop that in your "rice bowl" and take it to church when they collect these things.

Here's more info on CRS.  Just #sayno2crs.  By the way, in my title I used the words "to date" for I wouldn't be surprised if another CRS scandal comes to light in the future that will eclipse the depravity of this one.

Do NOT Donate To The Catholic Relief Services Collection!

Many dioceses are having their in-pew collection for the CRS this weekend, March 19.   Others will have their collections next weekend.  PLEASE BOYCOTT THIS COLLECTION!

Michael Hichborn of Lepanto Institute produced a comprehensive report of the many ways in which they operate at variance with Catholic morality - promotion of contraception (even going so far as to have their workers distribute it), homosexuality, etc.  In addition, this blog has featured many articles about the details of their disregard for Catholic teaching.  One of the articles reveals that a high-ranking CRS official was in a "gay marriage" and quite open about it.

Clearly these people are not to be trusted with one penny of your money.  Tomorrow, when that collection basket comes about, drop a note in it (maybe even put that note in your CRS envelope) detailing exactly why you won't be contributing.  Then give that donation to a truly worthwhile charity.  Again, we can thank Michael Hichborn for researching many charities and determining which ones would use your donation dollars properly.

Why Catholic Conferences May Be Mum Regarding Planned Parenthood Funding

Yesterday the US Senate voted to pass H.J. Resolution 43, undoing Obama's executive order that forced states to fund Planned Parenthood.  It was a split vote, with the Vice President breaking the tie.  Last month it passed the House by a 230-188 vote split.  It now heads to President Trump's desk.  This bill does not cut Planned Parenthood funding in and of itself; rather, it allows states to do so.  A number of them have already passed such defunding measures.

A little "aside" for my #nevertrump friends.  You do realize that if you had your way, states would still be forced to fund Planned Parenthood, don't you?  Deep down in your hearts, aren't you glad you didn't have your way?  Let this be a lesson to you.  As additional examples arise, I will be pointing these out to you!

Getting back to the main point of this post, state governments now take back control of their Title X funds and they now have the option of denying funding to the largest baby-killing racket in the nation, if not the world.  I hope many states seize that opportunity.  Alas, other states are infested with anti-life liberals and progressives.  My home state of Maryland is one of them.  I wrote last Saturday of the effort underway by pro-baby-murder politicians to fund Planned Parenthood.  In that piece I also wrote of the de facto cooperation with these progressives that the Maryland Catholic Conference intends to give them.  I speculated as to the cause(s) of the MCC's despicable stance, wondering if funding for some of their pet "social justice" goals hung in the balance.  The video released by Michael Hichborn now causes me to fear that the reasons for MCC's lack of actions may be even more perfidious.

Deal Hudson had an article published today in Newsmax entitled "Catholic Bishops Caught In Conflict Of Interest Over Immigration".  In the fifth paragraph down, we see that Catholic Relief Services received over $400 million from the Obama administration in 2016.  In Obama's first year, he increased CRS funding by over $120 million.  Hudson also mentioned that Planned Parenthood received approximately the same amount from the feds; he mentions it as a coincidence but maybe it's more than a mere coincidence.

So what does Catholic Relief Services have to do with Maryland Catholic Conference?  Well, they're both headquartered in Maryland.  CRS is directly controlled by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the MCC takes many leads from the USCCB.  Six years ago, the USCCB did lobby for the defunding of Planned Parenthood.  This month it was utterly silent regarding H.J. Resolution 43.  Why the change?

The video below is that of Michael Hichborn giving a talk at the "Bringing America Back To Life" summit held in Cleveland earlier this month.  The title of his talk is "Catholic Charities And The Culture Of Death".  He details how Catholic "social justice" groups (under control by the US hierarchy) have compromised their missions to the point of participating actively in the Culture of Death.  He focuses heavily on Catholic Relief Services.  Pay very close attention to the 15:55 mark, when he reveals how CRS actually partnered with Planned Parenthood.  Just how close have the tentacles of Planned Parenthood gotten into the inner sanctums of the US Catholic establishment?  Can this be some explanation of the inaction of both the USCCB and MCC regarding the various battles over Planned Parenthood funding?  To my readers: what, if anything, have your state Catholic Conferences been doing about your states' funding of Planned Parenthood?  Please advise via the comments box.

If you have one of those lenten rice bowl things and have been dropping change into it, please empty it and give that money to an organization that is fighting for the Culture of Life.

Forward Boldly Interview With Michael Hichborn

Christine Niles of Forward Boldly interviewed Michael Hichborn of American Life League.  They discussed the CRS, CCHD and Catholic Charities scandals.

Online Religion Radio at Blog Talk Radio with Forward Boldly on BlogTalkRadio

Here is the article by Rob Gaspar that Hichborn mentioned: Separating Fact From Damage Control, as well as one that Hichborn wrote: Where There's Smoke.

Hopefully The Beginning Of The End For Catholic Relief Services

Yesterday Raymond Arroyo of The World Over interviewed Michael Hichborn of Lepanto Institute.  They discussed the paring back of federal funds that CRS had been receiving from the Federal government (ultimately, from us taxpayers).  CRS has now been laying off people and cutting back operations.  The CRS has largely been another front to send Catholic dollars to cartels involved in everything that is anti-life and anti-God.  They need to be divested of our money immediately.  Enjoy this video.

Ken Hackett, Former CRS Head, Demonstrates Why He's Obama's Ambassador To The Vatican

It didn't take Ken Hackett long to do the bidding of the Messiah Most Miserable.  Of course he had the slavish cooperation of the Not-At-All Catholic Reporter.  You can read his interview here.  Notice how he talks about us as "those who don't have mud under their toes because they haven't been working in the tough places."    LifeSiteNews commented about the interview and published some rebuttals against Hackett's ignorant remarks.

Monica Miller's reply bears some thought.  She said, "He should go with pro-lifers who help the most needy and broken women in the most dangerous and depressed neighborhoods such as pro-lifers do every week in Detroit. And he should have the experience of retrieving the dead and dismembered bodies of the innocent aborted unborn from trash containers.  Such pro-lifers may not have ‘mud under their toes’--instead they have the blood of the innocent under their finger nails-- rescuing them from their trash dumpster cradles-- a tragedy I personally know, having come face to face with the victims of abortion."

I might also add that in lieu of this "mud" we have had spittle upon our faces, spray paint upon our signs, coffee thrown at us, along with threats and assaults.  I suspect none of these can be found in Mr. Hackett's ambassador credentials.  Moreover, Michael Hichborn of American Life League points out the rather handsome salary that Hackett has drawn from CRS; the links to the evidence are found in the LifeSiteNews article.  As for the contributions to the Messiah Most Miserable, here's the evidence, bearing in mind that CRS is headquartered in Baltimore.

I suspect this performance of Hackett's with the NCR gives us a glimpse into one of the reasons why Obama chose him as ambassador.  He wants someone willing to trash-talk pro-life activists and faithful Catholics (that is, those whose opposition to Obama's death-dealing policies is most adamant) to the Holy Father's face.  Hackett is already demonstrating his "bona fides" as a true Minion Most Mindless - and has been doing so for quite some time.

Contraception: Destroying The Church, Fattening Wallets Of CRS Leaders

In last week's Mic'd Up, Michael Voris and Michael Hichborn discuss the seminal role that contraception played in the inception of the Culture of Death in western civilization.  They segue into a discussion of the role of Catholic Relief Services' role in distributing that moral poison, with an enlightening "aside" about the gargantuan salaries that CRS leaders drew.  They, along with Rey Flores, delve into a discussion of contraception's role in the general implosion of the Church.  It's an hour long but well worth your time to watch.

Voris And Hichborn On CRS

A few days ago, the two Michaels discussed the ongoing CRS scandals.  Much can be applied to all the "social justice" programs coming from the USCCB.

CCHD And CRS Never Fail To Fail

The Lepanto Institute and other Catholic investigators have been shining the light on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development for years.  Since its inception the CCHD has been bilking donations from unsuspecting Catholics and diverting those funds to organizations that are pro-abortion, pro-sodomite, anti-God, anti-morality.  Just put "CCHD" into the search box at the top left of this blog for an entire litany of their misbehaviors.

But it turns out that such anti-life funding isn't all that the CCHD has done with donation dollars.  Some readers might be inclined to wonder, "What?  You mean they actually do some scintilla of good with our donations?"  Oh, don't be silly!  It turns out that some of their funds are earmarked for bribery.

That's what Lepanto Institute revealed last week.  The CCHD offered them hush money; that is, if Lepanto scuttled its reporting on CCHD, why, CCHD just might give Lepanto a "grant"!  How special!

Hichborn turned them down.  But doesn't it make you wonder how many other bribe recipients didn't turn down some easy cash?  How many bishops or other grant recipients looked the other way as their palms were greased?  While we don't know the answer to that yet, we can be fairly certain that the number isn't zero.

Speaking of Lepanto and USCCB-controlled cash spigots, let's look at what they revealed about Catholic Relief Services and their attempt to mangle the season of Advent to make it a tool in shilling for illegal immigration.  Not only do they make a travesty of Advent, but they publicly wallow in their gross ignorance of Scripture and the Infancy Narratives.  You'll notice in that box that O'Keefe makes the ludicrous claim that the Holy Family "fled" to Bethlehem.  No, they were compelled to go there to be counted for census and taxing purposes; the Gospel of Luke states that quite explicitly.  But it sounds so "pastoral" to create this dishonest linkage with illegal immigration.  Now think about it; if the only way they can justify their enabling of those who violate our laws is to lie about the Scriptures, doesn't that indicate that they have no moral/intellectual basis for their positions?

These are just two more reasons why the CRS, CCHD and anything affiliated with the USCCB should not receive one penny from faithful Catholics.  More reasons will make themselves apparent in the next several months, I'm sure.

No Mass Means No Second Collection

In the midst of the calamity of the United States being without one public Mass, even then there is just the tiniest silver lining to the cloud.  Without Mass, there can be no second collections.  This weekend, for most dioceses, the second collection would have been taken for the Catholic Relief Services.  That will not happen.  That means that CRS will have fewer dollars with which to undermine the Faith.

Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute unearthed some truly squalid enterprises in which CRS has participated and even led.  Below I publish the second and third of the videos comprising his entire report.

More CRS Dabbling In Abortion

Yesterday Michael Hichborn released another segment of his report that proves that Catholic Relief Services is promoting abortion in third-world countries.  Here it is.