~Bishop William Murphy of Long Island,
from a letter to an EWTN viewer who called in to the Arroyo show (see below audio).
I'm active in supporting the pro-life movement here, but have become increasingly alarmed as I watch more of my fellow Catholics embracing extremist views of those allied with us in that cause. I watch good Catholics buying into 'Rapture' theologies, Bible literalism, and creationism pseudo-science, for example. A great many hold opinions contrary to the letter and spirit of Catholic social teachings. I've become especially concerned because more and more people embrace the authority of GOP politicians and evangelical leaders over their own bishops. What's really appalling is that those who do so are often extremely conservative Catholics who give a lot of lip service to the Magisterium of the Church and authoritative teaching.
Catholics take up a special collection today for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. I love the CCHD, as it's the social justice arm of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Council--I even put in my envelope early. They are very active and effective in fighting poverty in the U.S.
So, I was very surprised when our Bishops' annual meeting earlier this week mentioned allegations that they subsidized groups of questionable character. I was even more shocked and appalled when I heard that EWTN World Over Live show publicized this 'CCHD scandal' and actively encouraged people to boycott the collection:
AUDIO (CCHD story is introduced at about the 32-minute mark):
http://www.ewtn.com/vondem
I stopped watching EWTN about 7 years ago except for chaplet and coverage of special liturgies. This Ray Arroyo isn't very well-informed, is he? Nor is he a journalist. To his credit, he does expose this Bellarmine ministry for what it is: a self-appointed apostolate who put up a couple of websites for $50. Arroyo very obviously doesn't know who and what CCHD is, & he repeats serious charges ("great evils being promoted") on very flimsy evidence.
From a Facebook group of very conservative Catholics (the 'voting for Obama was a mortal sin' crowd) discussing the issue, I was referred to links on a major lay pro-life site, American Life League http://www.all.org/article
When I looked into it, every allegation is or has been investigated. Several accusations in the past were examined and dismissed as unfounded. CCHD funds over 250 projects and have investigated & defunded 3 or 1.2%. The vast majority of the issues critics raise are guilt-by-association. They've got a big list with lots of red ink and bold type...BUT. The first one says to damn one IL group we fund because someone we don't like also uses their services. (Shouldn't we be complimented that we're working with such a reputable organization that even our 'enemies' are comfortable referring people there?) Another huge list condemns anyone associated who takes money from 'Center for Community Change', your typical, large left-wing do-gooders coalition who hold a lot of repugnant opinions but also support many good causes.
The allegations are as credible as one of Glen Beck's conspiracy wet dreams.
Each and every program that the CCHD sponsors must be signed off by the bishop of the see in which they operate. I think that a bishop's staff, who are all people who live and worship in the diocese, would be in a better position to evaluate programs in his diocese than 'some guy' noodling on the Internet.
No doubt the continued noise machine will force termination of even more of these friend of my friend of my friend connections, as our bishops' work must be above reproach, but I pray that some sanity and basic justice may reign.
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Bishop Morin calls claims against CCHD's work 'outrageous'
http://www.catholicnews.co
The coupon campaign described in the news article above is shameful and scandalous. Interesting that I'm not the only one who has noticed that these criticisms come mostly from those who are "simply are not in favor of the church's social teaching."
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