Catholic Campaign for Human Development Donations Fighting Wal-Mart and Embracing Sin

In Case Californian Catholics are Wondered Where their Catholic Campaign for Human Development Donations are Going: Fighting Wal-Mart and Embracing Sin 1/31/2004 6:52:00 PM - The Tidings

CCI NOTES: In case you didn't notice what CCHD funded Industrial Areas Foundation is up to, the LA Diocese just changed the "four pillars of the Church" from the Seven Sacraments, The Creed, The Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer to liberation theology's four pillars, "Common Ground," "Seamless Garment," "Building Bridges," and "Consistent Ethic of Life."

The TIDINGS, the Diocesan paper of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Friday, January 30, 2004, 'People of commitment' seek change, by Ellie Hidalgo

Hoping to influence a wide range of public policy issues throughout metropolitan Los Angeles, nearly 1,000 parishioners, school parents, community leaders and union members assembled at the Los Angeles Convention Center to ratify an agenda for community change Jan. 25.

Participants --- members of L.A. Metro-IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation) --- also launched a get-out-the-vote campaign in advance of the California March 2 primary and the November elections. It is the latest in a series of organization efforts to influence state, county and city decision-making on issues including school overcrowding, healthcare, public safety, the environment, labor, housing and driver's licenses for immigrants.

Sunday's assembly included 30 Catholic priests and Our Lady of the Angels Region Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark, who thanked participants for being "people of commitment." More than half of the 82 churches and faith congregations participating in L.A. Metro are Catholic.

For the last three years L.A. Metro has been building its power base --- from the San Fernando Valley and Pasadena to Pomona and West Los Angeles --- to become a community-led force for effective change.

"A great many of us are here because we believe that our faith demands that we work with God to build the just society," said Bishop Clark. "Every public policy and every political platform should be measured by the standards of social justice, human rights and the common good."

Bishop Clark told The Tidings that Gospel-based community organizing is one of the four legs of parish ministry; the others are liturgy and prayer, catechesis and education, and charity.

As a non-partisan group, L.A. Metro does not endorse any specific candidates for office.

"Our 'candidate' is our agenda," asserted Father Mike Montoya, associate pastor of Precious Blood Church in Los Angeles. "We care for our communities and our families. We need the power to transform our care into actions that matter."

--- Support passage of Measure R on the 2004 ballot to provide $3.87 billion to relieve school overcrowding.

--- Support passage of Proposition 55 to provide $12.3 billion for repair, upgrade and construction of California schools.

--- Support passage of Proposition 56 to allow state legislators to pass a budget or increase revenues with 55 percent of the vote instead of a two-thirds majority.

--- Support the ICEA Act to increase taxes on commercial property to raise $4.5 billion to reduce class sizes and provide statewide pre-K classes.

--- Support passage of state legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver's license.

--- Develop ongoing relationships with local police divisions, especially with the Valley Bureau, the Central Bureau and the South Bureau of the LAPD.

--- Oppose expansion of the Bradley Dump in Sun Valley and oppose building a transfer station for trash.

--- Oppose the freezing of Medi-Cal enrollment for pregnant women in need of pre-natal care as proposed in the 2004-05 California state budget.

--- Oppose any closure/service reductions and support improvements at King/Drew Medical Center.

--- Develop a strategy to address the affordable housing shortage and lack of housing code enforcements.

Public officials present to voice their support were State Senators Richard Alarcon and Gil Cedillo, L.A. City Councilmembers Ed Reyes and Antonio Villaraigosa, LAUSD Superintendent Roy Romer, LAUSD School Board President Jose Huizar and SEIU labor leader Eliseo Medina. L.A. City Mayor James Hahn was absent, but sent a deputy.

L.A. Metro participants said they were prepared to walk precincts, host house meetings, sign up new voters, and encourage friends and family to vote.

Juan Valle of Ascension Church in South Los Angeles said he is concerned about school overcrowding for his seven-year-old child. He supports measures to repair old schools and build new ones.

Patty Menjivar of Precious Blood Church in Los Angeles said she is concerned about how expansion of the Bradley landfill might damage children's health.

Members of Transfiguration Church in South Los Angeles said they were concerned about the impact a new Wal-Mart would have on their neighborhood, when few of the store's employees have healthcare coverage and King Drew Medical Center already is in crisis.

But parishioners remain hopeful that together they can influence the future of the neighborhoods.

Said Benedicta Jimenez of St. Michael Church in South Los Angeles: "We're here to see if, with our presence, something can happen."

- EVENTS Show your Support! >> Abortion Breast Cancer Link featured by EWTN "World Over" Jan 30 - Feb 2 - 2/2/2004 >> St. Mary (Queen of Peace) Young Adult Fellowship Conference/Dinner Dance - 2/7/2004 >> Card. Avery Dulles SJ at Univ of Chicago: 40 Years After the Council - 2/7/2004 >> Marriage Renewal Luncheon with Dr. Ray Guarendi - 2/8/2004 >> "Can War Ever Be Just?" Lecture in Galesburg, IL - 2/10/2004 >> "The Catholic Electorate, Reclaiming the Catholic Vote"lunch w/ pollster John McLaughlin - 2/13/2004 >> The Women's Center 19TH ANNUAL LIFE BANQUET Featuring Actress Jennifer O'Neill - 2/15/2004 >> Mel Gibson's PASSION Opens in 2,000+ Theaters - 2/25/2004 >> The Catholic Health Association and the Neiswanger Institute Conf on Catholic Medical Ethics - 3/3/2004 >> The Sword of the Prophet and the rise of Islam: Serge Trifkovic at CCI Lunch - 3/12/2004

Freerepublic can make a difference. Read the following and see how freerepublic killed a CCHD grant to NARAL a couple years ago:

[ed: This message gives us the opportunity to discuss who controls funding for community organizing and how to change that.]

From: GLDP

>>For immediate release

Contact: Kate Pilacky at 1-877-ORG-OHIO

Organize!Ohio Suffers Major Setback as Catholic Campaign Rescinds Grant

Conservative causes were handed a victory as Rev. Robert J.Vitillo, Executive Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development moved to rescind a grant in the amount of $30,000 from the Catholic Campaignfor Human Development (CCHD) to Organize!Ohio, a statewide network of community organizations.

Citing pressure initiated on the archconservative http://www.freerepublic.com website, the Campaign for Human Development reacted to allegations that Organize!Ohio was involved in the activities of the National Abortion Rights Action League(NARAL). The CCHD inquisition was based on speculation that Organize!Ohio or a project of Organize!Ohio was involved in activities which are contrary to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church".

In a July 31, 2001 letter to Organize!Ohio, Fr. Vitillo concedes Organize!Ohio is not directly involved in facilitating or promoting abortion. The letter further states, Organize!Ohio does not have a position on abortion, did not assist NARAL in promoting its own mission, and did not offer any particular services,training, or technical assistance to NARAL.

On two occasions (1999 and 2000), Organize!Ohio received membership dues checks, amounting to donations, totaling $125.00 from NARAL. NARAL is not currently a memberof Organize!Ohio.

Organize!Ohio brings together organizers around the state to share strategies and experiences in helping to empower poor people and their organizations and has selected the issues of Amnesty for Immigrants; the Mount Olive Pickle Boycott in support of Farmworker Organizing; Restoration of Welfare Rights; Affordable Housing; and Universal Access to Health Care as our campaigns.

While it is clear that the activities of Organize!Ohio are within the traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church, the funding agreement was unilaterally suspended on the premise that "the MoralGuidelines for CCHD Funding indicate that even when the matter of direct cooperation with morally objectionable activity does not apply, CCHD must avoid funding any projects which have the potential to cause scandal". (Fr.Vitilloletter of July 31,2001.)

However, the Moral Guidelines referenced by Fr.Vitillo do not set forth the circumstances under which potential for scandal might arise but rather incorporates by footnote the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. The Directive, in paragraph 71 states:

" "The possibility of scandal must be considered when applying the principles governing cooperation. Cooperation, which in all other respects is morally licit, may need to be refused because of the scandal that might be caused. Scandal can sometimes be avoided by an appropriate explanation of what is in fact being done."(emphasis added)

Rather than suspend funding to an organization that advances a social justice agenda consistent with the principles and values of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, an appropriate explanation, provided by Organize!Ohio could have been accepted by the CCHD rather than giving a victory to the opponents of organizing and social justice whose views are represented on the Free Republic describes itself as an online gathering place or independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web working to roll back decades of governmental largesse and to champion causes which further conservatism in America. Organize!Ohio will assess its future without CCHD fundingsupport at the Annual Gathering of Community Organizers scheduled for the weekend of September 15th in Lancaster, Ohio.

Donations to offset this funding loss may be sent to Organize! Ohio, 1875 North Ridge Rd, Suite A, Lorain, Ohio 44055. For details, call 1-877-ORG-OHIO or >>email:info at organizeohio.org.

------- End of forwarded message -------

Just How Bad is the Campaign For Human Development? Thirteen News Reports With Information You Need To Share With Your Fellow Catholics
11/19/2003 8:35:00 PM - Assembled by Kevin Killion

Thanks to our friend Kevin, below are several stories designed to tear back the curtain on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, or CCHD, or as I call it, Catholic Cash Helping Democrats...

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http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9908/public.html#time

Time for a Step Further, by Rev. Richard John Neuhaus

The criticism of CCHD is fine so far as it goes, says an old hand at inner-city community organizing here in New York, but it doesn't go far enough. ... the criticism of some of the more egregious abuses in CCHD funding is having its effect, and that's good. But now it's time to go further and make the case that the "Catholic" in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development should indicate more than the source of the monies and other resources employed. It should be an honest indicator of all the ends to which they are employed.

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http://catholiclight.stblogs.org/archives/2002_11.html

Follow the money

This is a good time of year to ask where the money is going, because parishes will soon be taking up their annual collection for the "Catholic Campaign for Human Development", which probably has the most doubtful value of any project the U.S. bishops sponsor. ... Over the years protests from conservatives have led to increasing restrictions on the program; and if the hard Left is squawking, they must be an improvement. Under new management, CCHD has started honoring the new restrictions, at least when a violation is brought to its attention. Still, I doubt I'll ever be willing to give a red cent to CCHD.

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http://catholiccitizens.org/press/pressview.asp?c=8423

Catholic Citizens of Illinois, How One of the Most Potent Weapons Serving the 'Culture of Death'Lies in the Pockets of Catholic Donors

CCI NOTES: The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is an annual collection taken up in Catholic parishes around the United States. Over one third of their grants go to Alinsky-styled political organizations. The largest are the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), Pacific Institute for Community Organizing (PICO), Direct Action and Research Training Institute (DART), Gamaliel, and ACORN. ...

These so-called community organizations DO NOT provide direct services to relieve the suffering of the poor, nor do they provide economic development grants for the poor. Rather, they organize institutions - particularly in and around churches - to fight for political power.

Illinois Catholics are advised that in spite of laudable CHD undertakes, your donations are also being used to sabotage Church teachings. Catholic donors to CHD are paying for organizations who fight for health clinics that dispense contraceptives and make abortion referrals. Catholic donors to CHD pay for political organizing that supports pro-abortion politicians. ...

Another CCHD funded network is ACORN, which generally takes 5-6% of the national CCHD annual budget. It's one of the most flagrantly political among CCHD's grantees, having formed a political party, the New Party, in a political alliance with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), among others. ... There's no secret about ACORN's political activism. ... The New Party is pro-abortion. It's website links to such "friends" as the Abortion Rights Activist Home Page, NARAL (National Abortion and Reproduction Rights Action League), and NOW (National Organization for Women). ... ACORN is also pro-abortion. Maud Hurd, ACORN's national president, was a speaker at Expo '96 for Woman's Empowerment. The purpose of the exposition was to develop a response to "the conservative use of ballot initiatives to attack women's rights and to galvanize a right-wing voteŠ"

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http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazines/1999/may/torres.html

Philanthropy Roundtable magazine, March/April 2002, Closing the Fungibility Loophole, Is the CCHD getting back that old time religion? by Justin Torres

"Every November just before Thanksgiving, American Catholics dig into their pockets to support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), a nationwide program ... Most Catholics in the pew, however, are unaware that CCHD has recently been enmeshed in controversy over criticism from both sides of the political spectrum-including conservative charges that the organization has funded anti-Catholic activities, and liberal concerns that the group is abandoning the poor. ... CCHD does not even allow funds to be dedicated to 'direct service projects' such as health clinics or homeless shelters for the poor. ... It will come as no surprise that this focus on advocacy instead of actual services has led CCHD to fund left-wing organizations that seek to block welfare reform, redistribute income, and build networks of left-wing advocates.

###

http://www.catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=1&art_id=800

The Catholic Exchange - Your Faith. Your Life. Your World.

A Different Kind of Collection, by Kathryn Jean Lopez, 11/18/00

This weekend congregants in most Roman Catholic parishes across the United States will be asked to contribute to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Most will probably write out a check or throw money into the basket for this - just another second collection. This particular second collection, however, should give pause. ... In the past, some CCHD grantees have been involved in projects that are clearly contrary to what Catholics believe. Yet every year Catholics give millions to CCHD. ...

In years past, CCHD has encountered difficulty with grants to groups that sometimes oppose Catholic teaching, and grants to coalitions that include groups like the avidly pro-abortion National Organization for Women (NOW). Revised guidelines issued last year - shortly after the name change that added "Catholic" - addressed these concerns ... But there are still reasons for concern. This year's "Fight the Right March," run by the National Organization for Women, was endorsed by ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which receives substantial funding from CCHD. In 1999-2000, CCHD granted a total of $517,000 to 17 state and local chapters of ACORN - an 18 percent increase over the previous year's grants. ... And the list goes on.

It's as if the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is living in a different time. CCHD is stuck in, as one observer called it, a "Sixties time warp," happy to fund left-wing political mobilization and "anti-poverty" groups. ... CCHD granted $28,000 to the Kansas-based Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice in the 1999-2000 cycle. In March, the radical organization sponsored a campus lecture at Kansas State University which devolved into a "Free Mumia" rally. ... Another CCHD grantee is the Missoula, Montana-based WEEL (Working for Equality and Economic Liberation), which was granted $30,000 in 1999-2000. ...

Typical of CCHD grantees, WEEL's rhetoric is a thinly disguised attack on free market and pro-market politics, described as "belief and policy systems which keep people oppressed." ... To fund groups that take positions contrary to Catholic teachings and to ostracize anyone who doesn't share CCCD's politics are serious concerns for Catholic churchgoers. But how can truth and justice prevail if they won't help anyone get to it?

###

http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pubs.asp?ID=106

Capital Research Center, November 1999, Campaign for Human Development Improves ..., But Significant Flaws Remain in Catholic Anti-Poverty Program

###

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3838368207a8.htm

CCHD [Catholic Campaign for Human Development] Continues to Fund the Left

###

http://www.lospequenos.org/Pepper%20Issues/NOV02Pepper.doc

Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Where Does CCHD Money Go?

"... not one dollar to CCHD will ever be earmarked to feed anyone. CCHD didn't claim that it would. In fact, if you dig a little, the CCHD will admit it doesn't support any "direct services" to the poor. "We're not really involved in charity," said Rev. Alfred LoPinto when he was the CHD executive director in 1987. "We fund self-help projects, and it's considered funding for justice." ... So, where does the other 80% of CCHD funding go? The majority, according to the CCHD chart, goes into "community development," housing, and what are called "family issues" - homelessness, youth programs, childcare, education, anti-violence, healthcare, etc. A further breakdown shows that fully one third of all CCHD grants go to Alinsky-style organizations, such as Albuquerque Interfaith and ACORN. CCHD-funded Alinsky organizations aren't about feeding the poor; they're about drumming up support for a radicalized political agenda.

Sabotaging Respect Life: Environmentalism no substitute for saving babies.

"...there are more than 5,000 babies aborted in the State of New Mexico each year! The most powerful and richest church on earth can do a lot to change this, if it had a focused will to do so.

In the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, it doesn't seem to. Along with fine words and little strategy, Sr. Joan Brown (a supporter of New Mexico's Call to Action) gave a presentation about the "Care of the Earth." This was also offered as a life issue. Please don't misunderstand. I know we need to be responsible stewards of the earth that God has given us dominion over, but Brown's handouts, "Parish Ideas to Care for God's Creation" and her prayer for global restoration were downright pagan: "Integrate more earth elements into services such as water, rocks, plants." What has this to do with the saving power of Christ? What has this to do with saving babies in immediate danger of abortion? Has our leadership lost direction, given up on the unborn, and abandoned these babies?

What right have a people to incorporate into their worship services "Let us pray for the earth," as Sister's handout suggests, who have not said "Let us pray for God's murdered unborn and for His forgiveness?"

What right have a people to "give thanks for the hawk, desert willow and water," who have failed to be thankful for the one creature created in His own image?

http://catholiccitizens.org/press/pressview.asp?c=9657

CCHD: The Catholic Campaign to Help Democrats?, By George Kocan

George Kocan is a Republican Committeeman in Warrenville, Illinois, and a long-time activist in Catholic causes.

Every Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, the Catholic bishops collect money at Mass for their Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). ... Curiously, the CCHD prohibits giving money to organizations that actually feed, clothe or house needy persons. The funds must go to organizations that push social or structural change. ... For thirty years, the bishops have been paying lip-service to the right to life, while putting Catholic money into Alinsky-style organizations like the IAF. They gave IAF a million dollars. They gave a million to ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) ... Joseph Cardinal Bernardin gave a million to the Chicago Metropolitan Sponsors (CMS) (while shutting down parochial schools) so that it could hire IAF to organize United Power for Action and Justice (UPAJ). ... Catholic bishops gave millions of dollars to organizations that oppose everything Catholic, to ACORN, to IAF, to CMF but not a cent to struggling pro-life operations like Joe Schiedler's Pro-life Action League or Conrad Wojnar's Womens Center. Both of these devout Catholic men endured great legal and financial difficulties when NOW sued them in federal court for "racketeering". ... The bishops give no real support to the cause of life and the family because that would undermine Democrat power. Serious Catholics must affirm their faith by rejecting the financial trick that the bishops turn every Thanksgiving into a treat for the culture of death.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b2136ed0f0c.htm

Why Is Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Funding Leadership Training for NARAL?

"If you visit the link for the Campaign for Human Development, you will find that a $30,000 grant was made to "Organize! Ohio's" ... If you then go to the "Organize! Ohio's" webpage, you will find listed as a member organization of OO is the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of Ohio."

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http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b45e6806535.htm

LifeSite.net Investigates Catholic Diocese's Funding of Radical Abortion Group

CLEVELAND CATHOLIC DIOCESE DONATED $30,000 TO GROUP WITH TIES TO N.A.R.A.L.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/569153/posts

Catholic Campaign for Human Development?

"My parish is again asking for donations to the Campaign for Human Development. Does anyone know if they ever cleaned up their act, or are they still helping to support pro-abortion groups?"

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http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=2885

A Commentary on the Industrial Areas Foundation, The Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., December 1998

This commentary was prepared in response to proposed changes in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) guidelines. It provides information about the Industrial Areas Foundation, which receives the largest percentage of CCHD grants of

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Show your Support!
>> Abortion Breast Cancer Link featured by EWTN "World Over" Jan 30 - Feb 2 - 2/2/2004
>> St. Mary (Queen of Peace) Young Adult Fellowship Conference/Dinner Dance - 2/7/2004
>> Card. Avery Dulles SJ at Univ of Chicago: 40 Years After the Council - 2/7/2004
>> Marriage Renewal Luncheon with Dr. Ray Guarendi - 2/8/2004
>> "Can War Ever Be Just?" Lecture in Galesburg, IL - 2/10/2004
>> "The Catholic Electorate, Reclaiming the Catholic Vote"lunch w/ pollster John McLaughlin - 2/13/2004
>> The Women's Center 19TH ANNUAL LIFE BANQUET Featuring Actress Jennifer O'Neill - 2/15/2004
>> Mel Gibson's PASSION Opens in 2,000+ Theaters - 2/25/2004
>> The Catholic Health Association and the Neiswanger Institute Conf on Catholic Medical Ethics - 3/3/2004
>> The Sword of the Prophet and the rise of Islam: Serge Trifkovic at CCI Lunch - 3/12/2004

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