Fifth Bishop Didn't Take Up National CCHD Collection

LifeSite ^ | November 25, 2009 | Patrick B. Craine

[NYer]

ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida, November 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bishop Victor Galeone of St. Augustine, Florida also decided to discontinue the CCHD collection, LifeSiteNews.com has confirmed, bringing the list of bishops who decided against holding this year's collection to five.

In a November article for his diocesan magazine, Bishop Galeone explains that he had made this decision in May - many months prior to the controversy that erupted this fall over reports that the CCHD is funding groups that support abortion, contraception, and same-sex "marriage."

The bishop lists three reasons for his decision.

First, he says, "over the years some CCHD funds were disbursed to certain organizations hostile to key Catholic positions." He specifically highlighted the funding of ACORN as an instance of this.

Second, he explains, "Catholic organizations or groups cannot receive CCHD funding since their guidelines exclude all 'organizations controlled by governmental, educational, or ecclesiastical bodies.'" While Catholic inner-city schools are "struggling to make ends meet," he says, "... they cannot receive a single dollar of our own CCHD donations for that purpose!"

Third, he decries the fact that CCHD does not fund projects that work to support family values.  "If CCHD's mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America, why are no funds earmarked to address the greatest cause of poverty in our country today - single motherhood?" he asks.  "Moreover, 80% of the male inmates incarcerated in America come from fatherless homes.  Yet no CCHD funds go to groups striving to strengthen family values."

Diocesan chancellor Fr. Michael Morgan told LifeSiteNews.com that the bishop has replaced the annual CCHD collection with a new "Diocesan Schools & Social Action Appeal," which is meant to support similar initiatives as the CCHD, but at the diocesan level and without funding activities contrary to Catholic teaching.

"I think that the concern was that it would be better to support the same basic goals of the [CCHD], but to do it within the diocese exclusively," Fr. Morgan said.  "We would have more control to make sure that the money collected went to, perhaps similar purposes, but organizations that would not have the problems that surface with the [CCHD]."

In his article, Bishop Galeone explains that the funds collected from the new appeal will be disbursed equally between (1) local pregnancy centers, (2) tuition assistance for needy students in Catholic schools, and (3) self-help community groups.

The collection for the appeal was held this past weekend, in lieu of the CCHD collection, and Fr. Morgan says Bishop Galeone plans to continue this approach in the years to come.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Bishop Bruskewitz on CCHD: Bishop Morin Was a "Bit Too Dismissive" of Concerns 

Four US Bishops Did Not Take up Collection for Embattled CCHD 

$1.3 Million in CCHD Funds Going to Questionable Groups: Reform Coalition 

List of Bishops:

Bishop Robert J. Baker - Birmingham, Alabama  LSN coverage

Bishop John O. Barres - Allentown, Pennsylvania  LSN coverage

Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz - Lincoln, Nebraska  LSN coverage

Bishop Victor Galeone - St. Augustine, Florida  Statement

Bishop Robert C. Morlino - Madison, Wisconsin  Statement

[NYer]

Perhaps it's time the USCCB rethought the CCHD program. There are so many philanthropic charities to assist those in need. What's missing right now, are funds to support Catholic schools and retired religious. In our diocese, they continue to close the Catholic schools due to lack of funds. Many of our priests are still active, well into their 80s because they can't afford to retire.

[livius]

He’s my bishop and he’s been great on this! I disagree with him on many things (he was a supporter of the Trautperson on his opposition to the new translation and has consistently impeded the Motu Propio), but he is excellent and courageous on this subject.

He was one of only two or three of the ten bishops in Florida who came out and opposed the odious Bp Lynch over Terri Schiavo.

[sitetest]

Wow. This bishop gets it. His analysis is far deeper and far more Catholic than anything that I’ve seen from any Catholic hierarch on this subject.

[maryz]

"Catholic organizations or groups cannot receive CCHD funding since their guidelines exclude all 'organizations controlled by governmental, educational, or ecclesiastical bodies.'"

What??? I think if this had been announced over the years before the CCHD collection, they would never have gotten a cent!

[B-Chan]

Although our Diocese (Fort Worth) does solicit for CCHD, our parish (St. Mary the Virgin, Arlington) does not participate in the campaign. On Christ the King Sunday, we instead contribute to a variety of worthy causes, including the College of Saint Thomas More.

[NYer]

What??? I think if this had been announced over the years before the CCHD collection, they would never have gotten a cent!

Hence my comment above. It's time they rethought this program and began collecting for our schools and organizations. Charity begins at home.

[Tax-chick]

I believe my pastor quietly nullified the CCHD collection: our second collection on Sunday was for “parishioners in need.” I sent an extra $100 to the Priests’ Retirement by mail.

[Ann Archy]

God Bless them ALL!!!

[ALPAPilot]

Moreover, 80% of the male inmates incarcerated in America come from fatherless homes. Yet no CCHD funds go to groups striving to strengthen family values."

This will become the #1 issue that the gay marriage crowd will be unable to overcome. Children need both a mother and a father. The carnage those 80% have wrought on society takes marriage out of the religious realm and makes it a civil concern.

We as citizens have the right to insist that you will, not kill, abandon or abuse a child you produce. If you do adult things, act like an adult and take responsibility for your actions.

[Salvation]

This is getting quite interesting. I wonder how many other Bishops joined them??