Lepanto and PRI catch CRS running contraceptive program

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Didn’t see a thread on the Lepanto Institute and Population Research Institute (PRI) catching Catholic Relief Services (CRS) red-handed running a contraceptive-promoting program in Africa using US federal govt taxpayer funds.

christiannewswire.com/news/2558175637.html

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ – A joint investigative report by the Lepanto Institute and the Population Research Institute (PRI) spotlights a series of programs implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which promote contraception. The report also shows that government documents were falsified, hiding CRS’s involvement in these programs.

The 56-page report provides documentation and statements from CRS’ implementing partners as well as evidence collected from a field investigator in Kenya. These dual investigations together demonstrate that CRS implemented contraception-promoting programs through grants from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Michael Hichborn, president of the Lepanto Institute, presented a PEPFAR document to Archbishop Coakley, chairman of CRS’ board of directors, which indicated that CRS was responsible for the implementation of contraception-promoting programs in Kenya. The only response Hichborn received from CRS was that PEPFAR “made a mistake” and was “correcting” the document in question.

“The PEPFAR document wasn’t ‘corrected,’ it was falsified. The evidence we have proves that CRS absolutely implemented the programs initially indicated by the PEPFAR document, and PEPFAR changed the public record after a conversation with CRS,” said Hichborn. “This strongly suggests that CRS and PEPFAR collaborated in a cover-up to hide CRS’ contraception-promoting programs in Kenya from the bishops and the faithful.”

“If CRS is willing and able to engage in a cover-up of this magnitude, what else has it kept hidden from the bishops and the faithful?” Hichborn asked.

In January, the Lepanto Institute published a report on CRS’ involvement with a graphic sex education program called My Changing Body. Rather than address the evidence in the report, CRS issued a statement denying any wrong-doing.

To view the report online, go to www.lepantoinstitute.org/crs-pepfar-cover.

Video going into detail of the report and investigation - Part 1
youtube.com/watch?v=lLiDnX-Orag

Video going into detail of the report and investigation - Part 2
youtube.com/watch?v=FhOeRsR0rxU

Video going into detail of the report and investigation - Part 3
youtube.com/watch?v=UnTEZYTl7PQ
 
I didn’t look into it too extensively, but either way, I hope more light is shed on this.
 
You just cannot trust anyone where money is concerned. Putting " Catholic " in the title of an institution does not guarantee it will observe the Church’s moral teaching. Unfortunately, many of the people who are involved are not Catholic and we have to depend on their " good will " and promises. Local Bishops on the receiveing of benefits should always investigate the activities of these groups.

I never give to CRS because the Bishops have proven that they can’t control this organization’s activities.

Linus2nd
 
…CRS has been involved in these activities and more than this and for many, many years. Along with other anti-poverty campaigns like the CCHD.

Which is why, although we still have an annual appeal in our diocese, we never give a single dime. It is a mystery why the bishops do not address these concerns in spite of report after factual report and the accumulating evidence.
 
Tigg said:
…CRS has been involved in these activities and more than this and for many, many years. Along with other anti-poverty campaigns like the CCHD.

Which is why, although we still have an annual appeal in our diocese, we never give a single dime. It is a mystery why the bishops do not address these concerns in spite of report after factual report and the accumulating evidence.
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Yes indeed! An old fireman’s saying; “where there’s smoke there’s fire” most certainly would appear to apply here. And if it were just once, I’d be tempted to say, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. But come on! It seems to be just one scandal after another with them. Here is an article from 2013, and they date back much further than this. It really troubles me to admit here, but once upon a time I contributed to them and thus helped them pay for God knows what. It still very much troubles me deeply. So I’m with you Tigg, the bishops need to address this problem…like yesterday.

Peace, Mark
 
I have become suspicious of all such large collections. I prefer to give to small local charities where I know the money will be well used.
 
Mark121359 said:
Yes indeed! An old fireman’s saying; “where there’s smoke there’s fire” most certainly would appear to apply here. And if it were just once, I’d be tempted to say, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. But come on! It seems to be just one scandal after another with them. Here is an article from 2013, and they date back much further than this. It really troubles me to admit here, but once upon a time I contributed to them and thus helped them pay for God knows what. It still very much troubles me deeply. So I’m with you Tigg, the bishops need to address this problem…like yesterday.

Peace, Mark
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Mark - you can be at complete peace. We too, gave faithfully for years, but the Lord knows the true culpability.

I smiled to myself when I was once chastised by a Catholic on this forum for giving to a certain Protestant organization which rescues persecuted Christians . They are only involved with the humanitarian aspect – flying them out of high-risk areas and providing food and medical attention to those refugees. After looking twice at what CRS and the CCHD are up to, I thank God for these godly and dedicated people.
 
Joe_Kelley said:
I have become suspicious of all such large collections. I prefer to give to small local charities where I know the money will be well used.
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A good idea! I’m always suspicious of NGO’s which seem particularly infamous for their involvement with “reproductive health.” (Code for abortion and contraception.)
 
There are new Church Militant TV videos about this,which show the evidence.
 
Tigg said:
…CRS has been involved in these activities and more than this and for many, many years. Along with other anti-poverty campaigns like the CCHD.

Which is why, although we still have an annual appeal in our diocese, we never give a single dime. It is a mystery why the bishops do not address these concerns in spite of report after factual report and the accumulating evidence.
Click to expand...
The reason is probably that they are morally compromised by receiving government money for Catholic organizations,on condition that the organizations implement programs that promote contraceptives and abortion. They may also fear that people who work for the Church (such as those in the chancery offices) would turn against them if they refused government funding or tried to reform the organizations,just as they fear having the homosexuals and dissidents turn against them.
 
Joe_Kelley said:
I have become suspicious of all such large collections. I prefer to give to small local charities where I know the money will be well used.
Click to expand...
I agree and if possible we donate directly to the intended organization, no third party.
 
anthony022071 said:
The reason is probably that they are morally compromised by receiving government money for Catholic organizations,on condition that the organizations implement programs that promote contraceptives and abortion. They may also fear that people who work for the Church (such as those in the chancery offices) would turn against them if they refused government funding or tried to reform the organizations,just as they fear having the homosexuals and dissidents turn against them.
Click to expand...
Perhaps they should remember the admonition that Christ gave:

Do not fear those who can kill the body, but fear Him who can kill the body and soul.
 
**CRS Responds to False Allegations about Kenya Program **

Today the Population Research Institute (PRI) and Lepanto Institute released a report making allegations against Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS takes all such allegations seriously. Our Catholic identity is the heart of our mission, and we are committed to ensuring that all our programming is faithful to Church teaching.
PRI’s report attacks our faithful, life-saving efforts to respond to HIV and AIDS in Africa, which have reached over 700,000 people. CRS is proud to partner with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), begun by President Bush to do this vital work. This partnership did not compromise our Catholic identity but provided an opportunity to faithfully and fully witness to our Catholic beliefs. In fact, we continue to successfully advocate for a conscience clause in PEPFAR to protect our ability to work in accord with Catholic teaching.
After a careful review of the facts, the report’s allegations unravel quickly. They are misleading, exaggerated, and untrue. For example: …crs.org/response/false-allegations-about-kenya-program.cfm
newswire.crs.org/crs-upholds-catholic-teaching-and-values-3/
 
I recall an old adage: “One needs a long spoon if one sups with the devil.”
 
zab said:
**CRS Responds to False Allegations about Kenya Program **
Click to expand...
lepantoinstitute.org/uncategorized/investigative-organizations-address-denials-made-by-crs/

Yesterday, the Population Research Institute, the Lepanto Institute, and Human Life international presented at the National Press Club on the results of an investigation into Catholic Relief Services-Kenya. The joint investigation included documentation from on-line research as well as a field investigation in Kenya.

The report documented evidence that Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has facilitated and endorsed contraceptive use in Kenya. Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States; the Catholic Church opposes the use of contraception.

Yesterday, CRS released a response to the investigation. We express concern that CRS appears to have not read the claims carefully before issuing blanket denials. Their replies and our responses follow below:

PRI and Lepanto completely dismantle the denial by CRS. Point by point they refute the denial.​
 
“Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved.”
-St. Robert Bellarmine
 
CRS and their charges of false accusations don’t hold water when one researches all the facts. They blatantly disobeyed the Motu Proprio of Benedict when he was pope regarding charitable giving and they simply hold no credibility for me when denying they are not enablers for the culture of death.
 
The trouble is, like many people, I do not have time to research all the facts. So it comes down to who you trust to give you the right information. Do you trust the reasonable responses given by CRS or the response from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops giving their full support to CRS? Or do you trust lifesitenews.com or Michael Voris and Militant Catholic TV? How many people have stopped their donations to CRS or will not give in the collection next week for CRS because of the negative publicity from Lepanto, Life Site News, and Militant Catholic TV? CRS does a lot of good in the world and slander is a terrible sin that can effect the good work being done through out the world.
 
zab, that’s why it’s important to do the research yourself. Voris, I discount, but Lepanto and HLI have an impeccable reputation. When CRS receives a $21 million dollar grant from the Gates and Warren Buffet Foundations (which organizations freely admit they are involved with abortion advocacy and contraception) does that not that raise a glaring red flag? Are the bishops making a deal with the devil? I actually wrote to our former bishop about this and to my astonishment I did receive a personal letter from him. My question was never actually answered, but he did make a sort of response by stating that no one can know the byzantine networking of money that passes hands. Not exactly a glowing recommendation for the way CRS does business. Which upholds my belief we should not be donating when a third party is involved. We each must do what our conscience tells us.
 
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