CRS disputes LifeSiteNews Article

[Elizabeth502]

Well, Tigg, I think it’s hard to piece together history, knowledge, and intent, as outsiders. What troubles me in general is not that I think the Church or the bishops are rationalizing “cooperating with evil” (based on funds used also for other Goods), but rather that they tend to be Late to the Table in discovering the connections and associations.

I will hope that the USCCB begins to take a different approach to fundraising, based on what seems to be a pattern of some organizations mixing social justice causes approved by the Church with support for behaviors disapproved by the Chruch. This is one reason I never give to “umbrella organizations.” There are causes & needs which I approve of in each of them, causes & needs which I have moral objections to as well. I understand the efficiency argument of single drives for a variety of needs, but that argument is not persuasive to me – not only for your reasons, Tigg, and mine, but also because I don’t want others deciding which cause needs more than another cause. (That is the argument that is presented: Just give to X umbrella drive: we’ll know how best to distribute funds.) No, I know how “best” I want to dedicate my donation. (Maybe I am moved to understand how a particular organization could be in greater crisis than another and whose needs are more righteous in the immediate present; someone who is merely overseeing all funds, and deciding which organizations have depleted accounts, is not necessarily moved by the same passion that the donor is moved by.)

That’s just my philosophy. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Tigg]

^^^^
As always, Elizabeth, your comments are well-ordered and much appreciated.

We haven’t given to CRS in a long time because of other disturbing reports over the years and despite all of these, their bureaucracy continues to operate on the basis, “business as usual.” They have a vast networking of huge sums of money going to all sorts of agencies and to research them is an arduous, if not impossible task. I’ve noticed one common thread in the ones I’ve looked at – they all usually promote women’s “reproductive health and family planning” and most always have something to say about climate change. All the terms that wave a red flag in front of this Catholic donor’s face. And the e-mail posted on the other thread from the female staffer at the CRS office defending themselves does nothing for me in terms of assuaging my anger or my convictions. I’m looking forward to the next parish collection for the CRS – in lieu of my check they will get a letter recalling this donation to CARE, and my regrets, with a carbon copy going to our bishop.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I think your proposed action is a very good idea, Tigg, one better than mine (silence). It is important, I agree, to let CRS and our bishops understand our objections.

And you’re right as well about the “arduous research” involved. I’m not in donor-mode at the moment, but when I am, my research is able to be simpler because it’s so limited.

Perhaps, Tigg, you (we!) could include a constructive suggestion in that letter-in-the-basket: how about an opportunity for an information-only (no solicitations or donations accepted) presentation in parishes? This could be offered to single groups at a time or as an invtation to several. For example, several months ago in one of my regional parishes, a particular Order in need of funds came to Mass, gave a very brief talk (I hope I remember that it was at the end of Mass), and then Father announced that members of the Order would be at the back of the Church after Mass, with literature & useful Catholic items for sale, and to explain their mission.

Obviously with an Order, scrutiny would not be such a concern. But the same could be offered to other groups, by invitation (after clergy screening of that group). That would allow parishioners to ask direct questions of such groups and decide if they were satisfied with the answers and if the material presented disclosed enough.

In larger parishes, cluster parishes, or Cathedral grounds, social justice “fairs” could be held for many organizations, with the same information-only intent.

 

[Joe_5859]

If anything, this article reinforces my opinion of LSN as an editorial blog with an decidely anticatholic bent. I quoted the stuff that I find reflects this. Others may have more trust in LSN than I do, for whatever reason.

Sadly, I agree. I started off liking LSN. I really would like to be able to support them. But every article of theirs that I read makes me trust them less and less.

I think Brandon Vogt did an excellent job of dissecting this controversy. And he likes LSN more than I do.

Compassion vs. CARE: A Defense of Catholic Relief Services

I agree with Vogt that this probably wasn’t the most prudential decision CRS has ever made. But that’s a far cry from saying the US Bishops are funding contraception. That’s simply not true.

 

[LisaA]

Let me propose an analogy, that may or may not apply.

Let us say the local high school was promoting contraception and availability of abortion to its students. Now the local priest steps in to object. He insists that they promote abstinence education. The school says that they will not fund that, but that they will allow it if it is indepenently funded. Would that parish be commiting sin by donating money for abstinence eduation to the school just because the money we fungible? (that is, the school could have used its own funds).

I am not a moral theologian but note that the abstinence is a NEW program, segregated that would NOT happen if not for this outside funding. That a Catholic organization would fund a segregated and NEW program that would not be funded at all without this additional new source would make me conclude that funding this program would not free up more money for the contraceptive program since it was already ongoing.

I find the CRS doublespeak pretty distressing because I’ve given to them in the past but am more and more reluctant to give to these large and disassociated organizations. If I want to help the poor, there are plenty of other organizations that stick to the business of HELPING the poor improve their lives rather than the focus on contraception/abortion etc.

As a CPA I know the accounting ‘tricks’ that are used to allocate money from one program to another without seeming to use segregated funds. Anyone who thinks that all the federal money sent to Planned Parenthood is being used for mammograms and pap tests is living in an alternative universe.

Lisa

 

[pnewton]

I am not a moral theologian but note that the abstinence is a NEW program, segregated that would NOT happen if not for this outside funding. That a Catholic organization would fund a segregated and NEW program that would not be funded at all without this additional new source would make me conclude that funding this program would not free up more money for the contraceptive program since it was already ongoing.

CRS thinks their grant did this. I do not know if they are right, if they are mistaken or if they are somewhere in between. Nor am I suggesting that what they did was prudent. I do believe the complaint against them is exaggerated, unproven and biased.

 

[LisaA]

I think your proposed action is a very good idea, Tigg, one better than mine (silence). It is important, I agree, to let CRS and our bishops understand our objections.

And you’re right as well about the “arduous research” involved. I’m not in donor-mode at the moment, but when I am, my research is able to be simpler because it’s so limited.

Perhaps, Tigg, you (we!) could include a constructive suggestion in that letter-in-the-basket: how about an opportunity for an information-only (no solicitations or donations accepted) presentation in parishes? This could be offered to single groups at a time or as an invtation to several. For example, several months ago in one of my regional parishes, a particular Order in need of funds came to Mass, gave a very brief talk (I hope I remember that it was at the end of Mass), and then Father announced that members of the Order would be at the back of the Church after Mass, with literature & useful Catholic items for sale, and to explain their mission.

Obviously with an Order, scrutiny would not be such a concern. But the same could be offered to other groups, by invitation (after clergy screening of that group). That would allow parishioners to ask direct questions of such groups and decide if they were satisfied with the answers and if the material presented disclosed enough.

In larger parishes, cluster parishes, or Cathedral grounds, social justice “fairs” could be held for many organizations, with the same information-only intent.

Absolutely prefer the direct approach and direct giving as well. We’ve had two priests bring missions in their home country to our attention. One from Vietnam worked with Catholic operated orphanages and would you believe there are still “leper colonies” in Southeast Asia? We were able to give directly to Fr’s Vietnam based charity, in fact our priest delivered the funds directly to the orphanages and house for those with Hanson’s Diseas (leprosy). More recently a priest from Tanzania came to ask for help for his orphanages, also Catholic run. The priest is currently assigned in this archdiocese but of course goes back to Tanzania frequently. He talked about how they are able to carefully utilize funds for the children in greatest need. Most are AIDS orphans and they are not only given food and shelter but also an education they would not receive otherwise.

I had no concerns that funds given to these two priests were going astray to promote causes or projects against conscious. I agree with Elizbeth that some of these organizations have become so huge, so secular in their management, that I don’t believe this is the best use of my charitable dollars.

LIsa

 

[zab]

Absolutely prefer the direct approach and direct giving as well. We’ve had two priests bring missions in their home country to our attention. One from Vietnam worked with Catholic operated orphanages and would you believe there are still “leper colonies” in Southeast Asia? We were able to give directly to Fr’s Vietnam based charity, in fact our priest delivered the funds directly to the orphanages and house for those with Hanson’s Diseas (leprosy). More recently a priest from Tanzania came to ask for help for his orphanages, also Catholic run. The priest is currently assigned in this archdiocese but of course goes back to Tanzania frequently. He talked about how they are able to carefully utilize funds for the children in greatest need. Most are AIDS orphans and they are not only given food and shelter but also an education they would not receive otherwise.

I had no concerns that funds given to these two priests were going astray to promote causes or projects against conscious. I agree with Elizbeth that some of these organizations have become so huge, so secular in their management, that I don’t believe this is the best use of my charitable dollars.

LIsa

94% of CRS contributions go to programs. Only 6% goes to fundraising, awareness and administration. I chose CRS as one of the charities that our family supports on a monthly basis around the time that the Tsunami hit, then there other major disasters. It just seemed wise to me to support a good Catholic charity on a more regular basis that contritubed to all these desparate and needy situations all over the world rather than just give a “one time” donation whenever a catastrophy arose. We also have had missionary priests come to our parish and we donated money in a special collection that went directly to their mission.

 

[LisaA]

94% of CRS contributions go to programs. Only 6% goes to fundraising, awareness and administration. I chose CRS as one of the charities that our family supports on a monthly basis around the time that the Tsunami hit, then there other major disasters. It just seemed wise to me to support a good Catholic charity on a more regular basis that contritubed to all these desparate and needy situations all over the world rather than just give a “one time” donation whenever a catastrophy arose. We also have had missionary priests come to our parish and we donated money in a special collection that went directly to their mission.

Oh I’ve given to CRS many times. For example, as soon as I heard about the Haiti Earthquake I got onto the CRS site and made a donation because I knew they were already there, on the ground and able to move swiftly. We also have CRS drives in our parish (probably all of them!) to generate the regular giving for day to day work being done as well as the big emergencies. So I hear you…

But when I have limited funds I try to get the most effective use of my donations which IMO may not be these large organizations that are depend more on huge grants from governments and foundations than the onsie twosie donations we put in the basket…even if it’s a regular amount.

I would like to point out that you can find out a LOT about charities’ financial records through various reporting sites. You can get copies of financial statements, tax returns and other reports. This site is VERY helpful when trying to determine if a particular charity is making good use of your funds (Caveat many Catholic organizations are deemed churches so they do not have to report).

That being said, I would like to caution everyone from being swayed by a low administrative percentage. For one thing, it is quite easy to manipulate the allocations to program expenses when in reality they might be more likely seen as administrative. For another and this is VERY VERY important, one of the most essential administrative expenses is auditing and fraud detection. I have seen too many times where an organization tried to avoid spending money on a good accounting staff or outside CPA only to find that funds were embezzled, misallocated or wasted because there was not enough oversight.

I believe there was a huge scandal in a Catholic charity back east because “no one was minding the store.”

Lisa

 

[Tigg]

Perhaps, Tigg, you (we!) could include a constructive suggestion in that letter-in-the-basket: how about an opportunity for an information-only (no solicitations or donations accepted) presentation in parishes? This could be offered to single groups at a time or as an invtation to several. For example, several months ago in one of my regional parishes, a particular Order in need of funds came to Mass, gave a very brief talk (I hope I remember that it was at the end of Mass), and then Father announced that members of the Order would be at the back of the Church after Mass, with literature & useful Catholic items for sale, and to explain their mission.

In larger parishes, cluster parishes, or Cathedral grounds, social justice “fairs” could be held for many organizations, with the same information-only intent.

Good suggestion, E, but I’m in cynic mode right now. As I posted on another thread, my constructive suggestion would be that the policymakers at the CRS be thoroughly investigated.

My fear when I read these threads is how casual otherwise good Catholics treat this and the dismissal of other reliable reports pointing to the smoking gun. My trust in the USCCB is at an all time low right now and I thank God we have a good and holy man for our bishop. I will write him and await his direction and I know others who will as well. I would very much like for these agencies to come and explain their mission, but given the deception we see on some of their websites where they speak of honorable and worthy causes but do not mention the hidden agenda except in flowery words meant to obfuscate, I am just downright disheartened and can only pray that the “social justice” Catholics remember that life issues must take precedence.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I guess my point, Tigg, in the face-to-face opportunity, would be to ask those questions directly, assertively, not just be a listener receiving information.

(“When you say ‘education,’ ‘advice’ ‘medical care,’ what do you mean concretely? What kind of medical care do you fund?”) etc. and “Have you ever provided contraception to the recipients of this cause?”

I guess the only other thing to do would be to give to no one if you don’t trust that their answers are true when you look them in the eye, or alternatively, not to give to any cause which is not limited. (Such as, building houses; such as, assisting with tuition.)

Here’s my point, though:
I don’t think it’s the laity’s job to do this kind of vigorous, first-level investigation. I think this is the job of our religious leaders. That’s, again, one reason I choose not to give to umbrella organizations. When I see names of groups there which I personally know have very non-Catholic policies regarding many moral issues, even I know enough that their inclusion in a name with Catholic in it is wrong. I don’t have to do more investigation than that.

 

[Tigg]

Here’s my point, though:
**I don’t think it’s the laity’s job to do this kind of vigorous, first-level investigation. I think this is the job of our religious leaders. **That’s, again, one reason I choose not to give to umbrella organizations. When I see names of groups there which I personally know have very non-Catholic policies regarding many moral issues, even I know enough that their inclusion in a name with Catholic in it is wrong. I don’t have to do more investigation than that.

I couldn’t agree more.