Lepanto and PRI catch CRS running contraceptive program

[Tigg]

For the record, I was the one who wrote: "…slander is a terrible sin that can effect the good work being done through out the world. " And that is a fact, not an Ad hominem attack.
Many of us are trying to sort out the truth in all of these allegations as well as the intent and if there is really any need to withhold our donations.

If slander was not implied, why say anything about it? And gossip is a sin not to be confused with the earnest attempts of others to draw attention to a harmful affect.

 

[MHichborn]

Michael Hichborn said CRS is running a contraception program. The archbishop says they are not. I applaud anyone who would inform Church leaders of the shortcomings of those who operate in the name of the Church. That is the proper role of the laity and takes courage and fortitude. However, going past that and accusing the archbishop of falsifying documents, in a “he said/she said” battle of personalities, and airing this battle in the blogosphere, is not fortitude.

pnewton,
It is not I who says that CRS is running a contraception-promoting program … CRS’s own documents say it: lepantoinstitute.org/crs-implemented-condom-promoting-video-series/

I have tried for 7 months to obtain a meeting with bishops on the board of directors for CRS, including Archbishop Coakley. None of them would meet. I had to meet with them, and not the staff of CRS, because my evidence shows that CRS is trying to hide its activities from the bishops. The bishops, in turn, trust their staff and won’t listen to me. So, I have no other recourse than to go public with the information. The Catholic faithful have a right to know what is being done in the name of the Catholic Church. This isn’t just a “he said/she said” debate … look at the reports. Look at what PRI and I wrote and then compare it with what CRS said in defense. Smokescreens just cover facts, they don’t cause them to cease existing.

 

[MHichborn]

I have found a simple application of Occam’s Razor, along with an understanding of rash judgment and how the Catechism beckons us all to give the most favorable interpretation, can be used to support the good from the bad. Sure, we can investigate such claims, but let us consider the sources, most of which can be checked on by a simple search. One would weight Fox News differently than MSNBC, for example, depending on the issue, if the two are in direct conflict. Which is most likely? We can actually spend time examining the details if we choose, and if the details do not contradict, then we can decide.

I am unconvinced that this whole CRS “scandal” is little more than politics (based on the philosophical leanings of 100% of its critics) and personality conflicts. When complaints of wrongdoing exist, I have the utmost confidence they will be addressed and remedied if of substance. For the life of me thought, I do not see why good Catholics are trying so hard to defund the charity to the needy. One only has to read this thread and see the response. Yes, CRS needs to consider the ramifications of all of its actions in regards to funding partnerships. Yet, the message of the beam and mote apply hear. If this feud with the CRS results in less true charity being done, then do not those who conduct such campaigns against the CRS have the same responsibility of considering their actions? Why not simply address the concerns in the appropriate forum, instead of trying to remove funding for the legitimate needy as well? Are they not aware that it is in our nature look for reasons not to do what we know is good?

1. I would have no complaint with CRS if it acted the way Cross Catholic Outreach, Caritas in Veritate International, or St. Bryce Missions do. All of these organizations do the same work CRS does, only they also evangelize and they do NOT take money from or give money to organizations that promote abortion and/or birth control. They ALSO do NOT, in any way, shape or form promote condoms or contraception. They also don’t even TOUCH programs that do.
2. CRS never owns up to the evil it has committed. When it gets caught, it A) denies having done anything wrong and attacks the whistleblower, B) spins the information by twisting the facts and ignoring the evidence, C) provides some lame excuse as to why it was necessary to do what it did, while simultaneously holding that it did not violate Catholic teaching, or D) admits to the wrong-doing, but claims it was a mistake due to lack of oversight.
3. The whole issue boils down to money, plain and simple. CRS obtains 70% of its nearly $1 billion income from the Federal government. CRS says they have to be involved with pro-abortion and contraception-spreading organizations in order to do development work. This is only partly true … what CRS MEANS is that it cannot do development work without working with and funding pro-abortion and contraception-providing organizations IF IT WANTS TO GET GOVERNMENT MONEY. The organizations I mentioned above do not partner with such organizations to do the same development and aid work CRS does. CRS is selling out, and that is what is at the heart of this whole thing.

 

[pnewton]

pnewton,
It is not I who says that CRS is running a contraception-promoting program … CRS’s own documents say it: lepantoinstitute.org/crs-implemented-condom-promoting-video-series/
.

I do not see why they would want to meet with you. You are very confrontational. The evidence you provide was from a three year budget that was ended in 2011, and was, according to the same document, phased out. Isn’t that the result we should all want? The USCCB has made a strong effort to increase oversight, though with all the liberal do-gooders out there this will be a never-ending process. The position of the the USCCB is:

In light of this, and based on thorough investigations into the concerns, we wish to assure the Catholic faithful that CRS fully and faithfully adheres to Church teaching in fulfilling its mission of mercy. In particular:
:black_medium_small_square:It is and has been CRS’ policy never to distribute or promote artificial contraceptives or abortifacients or to promote abortion.

and

The agency welcomes questions and concerns offered in a spirit of Christian charity. If any weaknesses or problems are found assessment and action are undertaken to correct the problem.

usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/catholic-relief-services-collection/support-for-catholic-relief-services.cfm
All endeavors will have flaws that stem from sinful men and women. The only way to avoid every doing something that might somewhere fund someone doing wrong is to sit on our hands and do nothing, never lifting a finger or giving a dime to help those who are the neediest among us.

 

[pnewton]

1. I would have no complaint with CRS if it acted the way Cross Catholic Outreach, Caritas in Veritate International, or St. Bryce Missions do. All of these organizations do the same work CRS does, …

Great… Give to them. To go back to something learned as children, we do not have to tear others down to build ourselves up. I would hope you understand how Christians in particular should not be lobbing bombs across from charity to charity.

CRS never owns up to the evil it has committed.

Remote material cooperation in evil is not the same as committing evil. Unless one is going to withdraw from society, it is almost unavoidable. Actual judgment belongs to God alone. No one is the CRS is performing abortions or passing out condoms, so not direct evil is being committed.

1. The whole issue boils down to money, plain and simple. CRS obtains 70% of its nearly $1 billion income from the Federal government.

The USCCB has maintained its right to objection of conscience in its operations. I know this is a battle which may one day be lost, probably will be, but for now, there is no compulsion to violate Catholic principles.

CRS is selling out, and that is what is at the heart of this whole thing.

too far

 

[zab]

1. I would have no complaint with CRS if it acted the way Cross Catholic Outreach, Caritas in Veritate International, or St. Bryce Missions do. All of these organizations do the same work CRS does, only they also evangelize and they do NOT take money from or give money to organizations that promote abortion and/or birth control. They ALSO do NOT, in any way, shape or form promote condoms or contraception. They also don’t even TOUCH programs that do.

…

Are you the Michael Hichborn that the article from LifeSiteNews.com is referring to?:
“Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican’s top social justice body, is involved in leading a radically pro-abortion, pro-homosexual and communist organization, according to a new in-depth [report](file:///C:/Users/Chris/Downloads/WSF%20and%20Catholic%20Participants.pdf) by the American Life League (ALL).
The World Social Forum (WSF) is an annual international meeting of social justice organizations formed in 2001. It describes itself as a forum for “social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism.”
However, the organization is also a vehicle for much more than radically leftist economic thinking, according to ALL’s report.
“The World Social Forum is fully committed to the spread of abortion, homosexuality and communism,” Michael Hichborn, the main researcher from ALL behind the report, told LifeSiteNews.” lifesitenews.com/news/caritas-internationalis-on-governing-body-of-radical-communist-pro-abortion

 

[MHichborn]

I do not see why they would want to meet with you. You are very confrontational. The evidence you provide was from a three year budget that was ended in 2011, and was, according to the same document, phased out. Isn’t that the result we should all want? The USCCB has made a strong effort to increase oversight, though with all the liberal do-gooders out there this will be a never-ending process. The position of the the USCCB is:

and

usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/catholic-relief-services-collection/support-for-catholic-relief-services.cfm
All endeavors will have flaws that stem from sinful men and women. The only way to avoid every doing something that might somewhere fund someone doing wrong is to sit on our hands and do nothing, never lifting a finger or giving a dime to help those who are the neediest among us.

The oversight isn’t the problem. The problem truly showed up when CRS contacted PEPFAR, and PEPFAR falsified the record. If CRS is willing and able to go that far to expunge the record of having any involvement in Healthy Choices II, then no amount of tests and employee training is going to fix the problem.

 

[MHichborn]

Are you the Michael Hichborn that the article from LifeSiteNews.com is referring to?:
“Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican’s top social justice body, is involved in leading a radically pro-abortion, pro-homosexual and communist organization, according to a new in-depth [report](file:///C:/Users/Chris/Downloads/WSF%20and%20Catholic%20Participants.pdf) by the American Life League (ALL).
The World Social Forum (WSF) is an annual international meeting of social justice organizations formed in 2001. It describes itself as a forum for “social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism.”
However, the organization is also a vehicle for much more than radically leftist economic thinking, according to ALL’s report.
“The World Social Forum is fully committed to the spread of abortion, homosexuality and communism,” Michael Hichborn, the main researcher from ALL behind the report, told LifeSiteNews.” lifesitenews.com/news/caritas-internationalis-on-governing-body-of-radical-communist-pro-abortion

Yes. Here is my video report on that topic:

youtu.be/6489ZFw_boo

 

[pnewton]

I am not the one that has to be convinced. There is an authority structure to the Catholic Church for a reason, where we will find a far greater understand of morals and social justice than I possess, far less political affiliations than I possess and far more oversight than I can provide. When my bishop, my priest or the USCCB says we need to stop giving to Catholic Relief Services, or at the very least that there might be even an inkling or moral reason not to, then I will grant this sort of story greater credence.

 

[MHichborn]

Remote material cooperation in evil is not the same as committing evil. Unless one is going to withdraw from society, it is almost unavoidable. Actual judgment belongs to God alone. No one is the CRS is performing abortions or passing out condoms, so not direct evil is being committed.

1. This is direct: lepantoinstitute.org/crs-implemented-condom-promoting-video-series/
2. This is direct: societasrestituo.org/2012/08/16/catholic-relief-services-funds-abortion-expanding-organization/
3. This is direct: lifesitenews.com/news/caught-red-handed-crs-documents-promote-condoms
4. This is direct: www.lepantoinstitute.org/crs-changing-body/
5. This is direct: lepantoinstitute.org/crs-pepfar-cover/
6. This is direct: catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8094

How many times does CRS have to be caught directly implementing condom and abortifacient-promoting programs, writing condom-promoting documents, sitting on the board of abortion-providing organizations, and giving FUNGIBLE money to organizations that provide abortion, sterilization, and birth control? This isn’t gossip, this isn’t rumor-mongering, and these aren’t MISTAKES! This is not remote material cooperation, this is direct. Paying dues to MEDiCAM?!?!? CRS might as well sit on the board and pay dues to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and then claim that they are only there to talk about cycle beads and STD tests.

Read the condom-promoting documents that CRS actually wrote and published. That’s not a “mistake,” some person actually WROTE those documents. A person who worked at CRS. Claiming this to be a “mistake” is like saying a man “accidentally” cheated on his wife.

 

[pnewton]

1. This is not remote material cooperation, this is direct. Paying dues to MEDiCAM?!?!? .

I simply do not agree. I base this on:

the evidence that you first of all have to use an exaggerated example of equating the situation to funding planned parenthood.

Also, that you fall back to the fungible money reasoning, which in itself makes cooperation remote at worst, unavoidable at best.

Next, your article says that it is a repeating something from “Red State”, which tells me that there are likely political motivations for this story and that it is a repeat, at least one time, moving it into the category of gossip.

Next, the article state," MEDiCAM, which is dedicated to the spread of abortion throughout Cambodia." In fact, this is not the purpose of MEDICAM, but:

MEDiCAM provides a respectful and safe venue where a wide range of organizations with differing missions come together to share health related information, engage themselves with policy level, discuss best practices, create tools, and engage in partnerships that increase the quality and impact of their work. The content of each MEDiCAM product does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of all of its member organizations. However, the members share best practices and experiences based on their values and missions, thereby ensuring MEDiCAM publications are inclusive of their experience and best practices.

medicam-cambodia.org/
I their dues to this organization allows them (name removed by moderator)ut on bringing Catholic principles into this organization, then it is a laudable attempt and by no means direct cooperation.

Finally, this is another 2012 article. But again, I am not the one that needs convincing. When my bishop, my priest or the USCCB says we need to stop giving to Catholic Relief Services, or at the very least that there might be even an inkling or moral reason not to, then I will grant this sort of story greater credence. At this point, since you called these cases direct cooperation, I am suspect of your understanding of moral theology, or at least your application of it when you are promoting this message.

I cannot understand how the USCCB, the Church leadership and Catholics in general have such a different view than the lay critics of the CRS. I read their response from 2013 to all these stories. I cannot reconcile it with this thread.

 

[zab]

How many times does CRS have to be caught directly implementing condom and abortifacient-promoting programs, writing condom-promoting documents, sitting on the board of abortion-providing organizations, and giving FUNGIBLE money to organizations that provide abortion, sterilization, and birth control? This isn’t gossip, this isn’t rumor-mongering, and these aren’t MISTAKES! This is not remote material cooperation, this is direct. Paying dues to MEDiCAM?!?!? CRS might as well sit on the board and pay dues to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and then claim that they are only there to talk about cycle beads and STD tests.

Read the condom-promoting documents that CRS actually wrote and published. That’s not a “mistake,” some person actually WROTE those documents. A person who worked at CRS. Claiming this to be a “mistake” is like saying a man “accidentally” cheated on his wife.

From the US Catholic Bishops:

Catholic Relief Services helps the poorest of the poor
CRS critics do not speak for the Church
Bishops stand firmly behind CRS, confident in its prolife commitment
WASHINGTON—Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the U.S. bishops’ overseas humanitarian aid agency, is deeply committed “to Church teaching in fulfilling its mission of mercy,” the U.S. bishops’ Administrative Committee said in a September 11 statement the first day of its annual fall meeting in Washington.
The bishops strongly endorsed the 70-year-old agency after critics “raised allegations about CRS’ adherence to Church teaching and its identity as a Catholic institution” and questioned its pro-life credentials, the statement said.
“Last year, CRS served more than 100 million people in 91 countries,” the bishops said.
“Those making these public critiques, albeit, we hope, in good faith, do not speak for the Catholic Church and we advise the Catholic faithful to exercise caution and consult the CRS website for clarification before endorsing or giving credence to the groups’ critiques.” The bishops “urged the Catholic faithful to continue to support Catholic Relief Services.”
“The U.S. Catholic bishops stand firmly behind CRS in its commitment to promote and defend human dignity and the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception until natural death, and at every moment in between,” the bishops said.
“Its service around the world makes us all proud,” the bishops added.
The full statement can be found at usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/catholic-relief-services-collection/support-for-catholic-relief-services.cfm
Specifically, the bishops said, “it is and has been CRS’ policy never to distribute or promote artificial contraceptives or abortifacients or to promote abortion.”

 

[MHichborn]

From the US Catholic Bishops:

Catholic Relief Services helps the poorest of the poor
CRS critics do not speak for the Church
Bishops stand firmly behind CRS, confident in its prolife commitment
WASHINGTON—Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the U.S. bishops’ overseas humanitarian aid agency, is deeply committed “to Church teaching in fulfilling its mission of mercy,” the U.S. bishops’ Administrative Committee said in a September 11 statement the first day of its annual fall meeting in Washington.
The bishops strongly endorsed the 70-year-old agency after critics “raised allegations about CRS’ adherence to Church teaching and its identity as a Catholic institution” and questioned its pro-life credentials, the statement said.
“Last year, CRS served more than 100 million people in 91 countries,” the bishops said.
“Those making these public critiques, albeit, we hope, in good faith, do not speak for the Catholic Church and we advise the Catholic faithful to exercise caution and consult the CRS website for clarification before endorsing or giving credence to the groups’ critiques.” The bishops “urged the Catholic faithful to continue to support Catholic Relief Services.”
“The U.S. Catholic bishops stand firmly behind CRS in its commitment to promote and defend human dignity and the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception until natural death, and at every moment in between,” the bishops said.
“Its service around the world makes us all proud,” the bishops added.
The full statement can be found at usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/catholic-relief-services-collection/support-for-catholic-relief-services.cfm
Specifically, the bishops said, “it is and has been CRS’ policy never to distribute or promote artificial contraceptives or abortifacients or to promote abortion.”

Words are cheap, and accolades are meaningless if they simply deflect from charges of infidelity. If they were to dig deep enough to provide real evidence that counters my findings, I will gladly join them in their praises.

 

[zab]

Words are cheap, and accolades are meaningless if they simply deflect from charges of infidelity. If they were to dig deep enough to provide real evidence that counters my findings, I will gladly join them in their praises.

Words can also kill. So it is wise for the faithful "… to exercise caution and consult the CRS website for clarification before endorsing or giving credence to the groups’ critiques.”

 

[MHichborn]

Words can also kill. So it is wise for the faithful "… to exercise caution and consult the CRS website for clarification before endorsing or giving credence to the groups’ critiques.”

Translation: “Ask the accused if they committed a crime or not. If they say ‘not guilty,’ then pay no attention to the investigators or their evidence.”

 

[zab]

Translation: “Ask the accused if they committed a crime or not. If they say ‘not guilty,’ then pay no attention to the investigators or their evidence.”

It is always wise to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

 

[MHichborn]

It is always wise to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Indeed. Something I do on a daily basis. But that’s not what you were referring to with your quotes. Those were procedural matters related to a reasoned approach to charges and evidence. And the procedures being proposed are blindly illogical.

 

[zab]

Indeed. Something I do on a daily basis. But that’s not what you were referring to with your quotes. Those were procedural matters related to a reasoned approach to charges and evidence. And the procedures being proposed are blindly illogical.

Oh, please, do not assume that you know what I was or was not referring to or what I think. It is always good for all of us to invoke the Holy Spirit for guidance. There should be no issue with that statement.

 

[zz912]

Oh, please, do not assume that you know what I was or was not referring to or what I think. It is always good for all of us to invoke the Holy Spirit for guidance. There should be no issue with that statement.

There’s no assumption being made. Your quote "… to exercise caution and consult the CRS website for clarification before endorsing or giving credence to the groups’ critiques.” is explicitly saying to ask CRS if it did anything wrong.

That’s asinine.

 

[zz912]

Then, PRI doesn’t deny that the investigator misrepresented himself?

How perfectly timed this attack is made. Today is the feast day of St. John Ogilvie, who snuck into Scotland disguised as a member of the military so he could minister to the Catholics in Scotland.

Guess he should have worn his collar instead of “misrepresenting” himself.