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8 Million in Federal Charity Fraud, Abortion Funding through the CCHD by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Lepanto Institute ^ | June 20, 2026 | Louis Knuffke

Posted on 07/13/2026 8:41:13 AM PDT by ebb tide

8 Million in Federal Charity Fraud, Abortion Funding through the CCHD by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Lepanto Institute has uncovered millions of dollars funneled by the Catholic Bishops of the U.S. to abortion groups, in what may amount to the serious federal crime of charity fraud.

Through research conducted over the last several years, Lepanto has exposed what amounts to nearly $8 million, over just the last 5 years, in grants from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) going to groups that support or promote, sometimes very explicitly, abortion, contraception, euthanasia, homosexuality, and LGBT ideology, contrary to the Church’s moral teaching and contrary to the Bishops’ own express assurances to the Catholic laity on their own website and in their annual fundraising for these grants. The grants are given through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), which expressly denies that such groups are eligible for or actually receive such funding.

Despite such statements, research into the groups that receive CCHD grants reveals a pattern of abortion funding coupled with public denial that this is taking place. This now averages close to $1.5 million annually, across all State lines. In addition to the scandal of Catholic money going from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to abortion groups, such funding also violates federal law, as it constitutes charity fraud and misappropriation of funds over $1 million across State lines.

The Lepanto Institute has documented that between 2020 and 2025, a total of $7,402,640 has been given to such groups in the form of CCHD grants by the USCCB.

Through such funding, the hard work of many pro-lifers, both within the Church and outside, is being undone and undermined by the millions of dollars the Bishops are giving annually to abortion groups. Some of these groups are so explicitly pro-abortion that they are comparable to Planned Parenthood, even offering referrals for abortion if not performing them themselves.

Here are the basics of the situation:

Does CCHD fund organizations that advocate abortion or same-sex marriage?

No. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development fully upholds our Church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life from conception through natural death. The Campaign funds organizations that empower the poor and help them organize themselves to break the cycle of poverty. All grant applicants complete a thorough application process and funds are provided only to organizations with objectives and actions that are fully in accord with the moral and social teaching of the Catholic Church. The local CCHD diocesan director and national grants staff evaluate every proposal. Every organization recommended for funding requires endorsement by the local bishop and national subcommittee of bishops.  The funding criteria, including the fact that organizations must be in conformity with the moral guidelines of the Catholic Church, are specified from the earliest stages of the application process. Organizations are monitored through regular reporting and on-site visits. Funding is discontinued if organizations deviate from their initial objective into areas inconsistent with the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.

https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-campaign-human-development/cchd-frequently-asked-questions

https://www.lepantoin.org/wp/cchd/

https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-campaign-human-development/cchd-funded-groups

Given the gravity of the scandal and crime committed by the Bishop’s Conference in having fraudulently funneled annually 1.5 million dollars from the Catholic faithful to abortion groups, amounting to $8 million in just the last five years, the Lepanto Institute is calling upon Congress and the Federal Government for a full investigation. The Catholic laity, who contribute substantially to the work of the pro-life movement, who are assured by their Bishops year-in and year-out that the CCHD does not approve grants to abortion groups, deserve a full account of why their money has gone, in the millions, to the very groups that support the destruction of innocent life in the womb. It is time the Bishops understand their fraudulent misappropriation of such money to support abortion is not only gravely sinful, but a federal crime for which they are legally accountable.



TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: abortion; frankenbishops; liars; usccb

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1 posted on 07/13/2026 8:41:13 AM PDT by ebb tide
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To: Al Hitan; Fedora; irishjuggler; Jaded; kalee; markomalley; miele man; Mrs. Don-o; ...

Ping


2 posted on 07/13/2026 8:41:41 AM PDT by ebb tide (Our Lady, Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces pray for us.)
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To: ebb tide

3 posted on 07/13/2026 8:44:11 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: Red Badger

At what point does leadership represent the true values of the organization?

Think carefully what I am truly asking.


4 posted on 07/13/2026 8:59:01 AM PDT by Skwor
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To: Skwor

“ At what point does leadership represent the true values of the organization?”

From the very beginning

L


5 posted on 07/13/2026 9:02:21 AM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is. LOL l)
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To: Lurker

I agree


6 posted on 07/13/2026 9:04:10 AM PDT by Skwor
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To: ebb tide

Headline sounds like 8 million people are being prosecuted.


7 posted on 07/13/2026 9:27:43 AM PDT by Seruzawa ("The political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence." -Marx the Smarter (Groucho.))
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To: ebb tide

The institution of the Catholic Church is going the same way as the US judicial system and it’s why many of us draw a clear distinction between our religion (man-made bureaucracy) and our faith. The pedo crimes apparently were not bad enough that these political clowns couldn’t come up with something even more profitable. they live in luxury while parishes close and nuns retire to lives of poverty. Meanwhile, those in the Vatican continue eating well, enjoying their mistresses, boy toys, and hookers, hoarding fortunes, and going increasingly woke.


8 posted on 07/13/2026 10:08:47 AM PDT by DPMD (u)
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To: ebb tide

This makes me ill ?
These scumbags parade around high and mighty, then we see this!🤬🤬🤬🤯


9 posted on 07/13/2026 3:49:20 PM PDT by bantam
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