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I've blogged in the past about my pro-life stance. I have the distinct feeling that I've won no one over, but at least I can show that there are intelligent, principled, consistent pro-lifers: those of us who support alternatives to abortion; support adoption, fostering, and caring for children, mothers, and fathers in general; oppose the death penalty, war, and all forms of violence. In return, I've been very grateful to find both people who agree with me and people who disagree respectfully—and that most of us can agree on a lot of positive steps, despite our differences.
Wow, do I need that kind of reassurance today. I was cruising through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website to get the readings for this Sunday, and the top headline on the page gave me pause: "Bishop Morin calls claims against CCHD's work 'outrageous'". I thought, "What claims?" and clicked. I found out what claims; I did a Google search and found that these claims are indeed out there on the Internet, they're ugly, and some of them come up pretty high on the Google list.
I can understand that not everyone wants to support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. They have strict rules: no money can go to partisan causes, groups that support abortion in any way, etc. Now CCHD is under attack by "pro-life" groups that say CCHD have been giving money to support abortion, gay marriage, and things I don't even want to name because they're too outrageous. (To clarify: I do support gay marriage; that's not "outrageous," though it happens to be something CCHD has never supported.)
The CCHD does give grants to ecumenical organizations and groups not connected with a particular faith. They work against poverty, not for conversion. I think that's part of the reason for the opposition, but it's not the stated reasons, which are absurd. (I'm not going into the charges. Bishop Morin rebuts some of them at the link above. I've visited a few of the sites encouraging a boycott, and they're playing guilt by association. Some of it's sickening.) CCHD helps a lot of people regardless of the religion (or lack thereof) of the agencies they give grants, the volunteers, or the clients.
A few of my friends have urged me to find another term for myself than "pro-life" because some anti-abortion activists have tainted it. I still think it's the best term for an essential part of my values, and it covers far more than abortion. It's people like those campaigning against the Campaign who have made "pro-life" sound like a bad word.
Those are the people urging Catholics to print out this:
This year, I will give the money I would have given to the CCHD to another organization which is fully in agreement with Church teaching on social justice and family and life issues.
I will be happy to support the CCHD again if and when the following occurs:
1) When I am sure that my donation will go to groups who support, or at least do not oppose in any way, Church teaching on social justice and family and life issues, based on substantial published research into the funded groups, and
2) When the CCHD publishes prominently on its Web site exactly where all CCHD funds went, including the research and due dili- gence performed which prove that the funded groups in no way oppose the Church and her teaching.
Until the CCHD provides this information, I will not give a single penny to its programs. And if it cannot, it should be entirely defunded by this diocese and across the country.
and stuff it into the CCHD envelopes this Sunday instead of money.
I want to ask these people: Exactly how much research do you want? How much donation money do you want spent on it?
You know what? As a charity registered with the US Government, the CCHD has, I'm pretty sure, strict record-keeping requirements. They could use a better website than their current one; it's under the USCCB, so some of the links lead right back out of CCHD without always indicating clearly that they do. I'm pretty sure one can request a copy of their documentation. If I had more time, I'd get more details, but it's Friday evening, and I can't get that information before the collection this weekend. I wonder how long this campaign has been building, that the response on the USCCB site is dated Nov. 17? I wonder if it was deliberately started shortly before the collection to give the organization little chance to respond?
I'll also note that each parish has people, sometimes staff but often volunteers, who open these envelopes; they don't all get shipped to a national address. So underpaid parish staff and volunteers will be wasting their time pulling stupid scraps of paper out of envelopes come Monday, trying to find the actual checks.
CCHD are the good guys. Their goal is to help people escape poverty; many of the groups with whom they work help the very women who without this help might feel they had no choice but abortion, and the children who are born to parents in difficult circumstances who chose to have a baby even when it was hard. They don't limit themselves to families, however. Here's what their brochure says: "The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the Gospel at work and Catholic social teaching in action. CCHD practices the principles the Church teaches: the option for the poor, solidarity, subsidiarity, and participation. CCHD defends human life and dignity every day, in countless ways, all across our nation." They've been doing it for many years. That's why I give: they're my kind of pro-life.
My choice is clear. I'm doubling my annual contribution to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development this weekend.
Wow, do I need that kind of reassurance today. I was cruising through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website to get the readings for this Sunday, and the top headline on the page gave me pause: "Bishop Morin calls claims against CCHD's work 'outrageous'". I thought, "What claims?" and clicked. I found out what claims; I did a Google search and found that these claims are indeed out there on the Internet, they're ugly, and some of them come up pretty high on the Google list.
I can understand that not everyone wants to support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. They have strict rules: no money can go to partisan causes, groups that support abortion in any way, etc. Now CCHD is under attack by "pro-life" groups that say CCHD have been giving money to support abortion, gay marriage, and things I don't even want to name because they're too outrageous. (To clarify: I do support gay marriage; that's not "outrageous," though it happens to be something CCHD has never supported.)
The CCHD does give grants to ecumenical organizations and groups not connected with a particular faith. They work against poverty, not for conversion. I think that's part of the reason for the opposition, but it's not the stated reasons, which are absurd. (I'm not going into the charges. Bishop Morin rebuts some of them at the link above. I've visited a few of the sites encouraging a boycott, and they're playing guilt by association. Some of it's sickening.) CCHD helps a lot of people regardless of the religion (or lack thereof) of the agencies they give grants, the volunteers, or the clients.
A few of my friends have urged me to find another term for myself than "pro-life" because some anti-abortion activists have tainted it. I still think it's the best term for an essential part of my values, and it covers far more than abortion. It's people like those campaigning against the Campaign who have made "pro-life" sound like a bad word.
Those are the people urging Catholics to print out this:
This year, I will give the money I would have given to the CCHD to another organization which is fully in agreement with Church teaching on social justice and family and life issues.
I will be happy to support the CCHD again if and when the following occurs:
1) When I am sure that my donation will go to groups who support, or at least do not oppose in any way, Church teaching on social justice and family and life issues, based on substantial published research into the funded groups, and
2) When the CCHD publishes prominently on its Web site exactly where all CCHD funds went, including the research and due dili- gence performed which prove that the funded groups in no way oppose the Church and her teaching.
Until the CCHD provides this information, I will not give a single penny to its programs. And if it cannot, it should be entirely defunded by this diocese and across the country.
and stuff it into the CCHD envelopes this Sunday instead of money.
I want to ask these people: Exactly how much research do you want? How much donation money do you want spent on it?
You know what? As a charity registered with the US Government, the CCHD has, I'm pretty sure, strict record-keeping requirements. They could use a better website than their current one; it's under the USCCB, so some of the links lead right back out of CCHD without always indicating clearly that they do. I'm pretty sure one can request a copy of their documentation. If I had more time, I'd get more details, but it's Friday evening, and I can't get that information before the collection this weekend. I wonder how long this campaign has been building, that the response on the USCCB site is dated Nov. 17? I wonder if it was deliberately started shortly before the collection to give the organization little chance to respond?
I'll also note that each parish has people, sometimes staff but often volunteers, who open these envelopes; they don't all get shipped to a national address. So underpaid parish staff and volunteers will be wasting their time pulling stupid scraps of paper out of envelopes come Monday, trying to find the actual checks.
CCHD are the good guys. Their goal is to help people escape poverty; many of the groups with whom they work help the very women who without this help might feel they had no choice but abortion, and the children who are born to parents in difficult circumstances who chose to have a baby even when it was hard. They don't limit themselves to families, however. Here's what their brochure says: "The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the Gospel at work and Catholic social teaching in action. CCHD practices the principles the Church teaches: the option for the poor, solidarity, subsidiarity, and participation. CCHD defends human life and dignity every day, in countless ways, all across our nation." They've been doing it for many years. That's why I give: they're my kind of pro-life.
My choice is clear. I'm doubling my annual contribution to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development this weekend.
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From:
no subject
I find that if people actually understood what are the pro-life issues, they would be shocked to find out those they thought were pro-life, are not.
I'm too tired to comment on the rest in detail and I'm not even sure if my above comment makes any sense. But, I'm in agreement with you.
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You're making sense to me.
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That whole situation made me leave my Church and now, we're currently searching for a new one.
I once saw a nun on one of the political talk shows call a priest out on 'one issue pro-lifers'. She said, "So you're saying it's okay to fight for the life of the child before they're born, but we can kill that child later in life. That's not pro-life." That priest just looked at her and stammered over his words.
I'm glad I made sense. :)
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If you weren't in Florida, you might find a more amenable parish. I still miss my parish back in the Midwest. My pastor was by no means a single-issue man! He was one of the best pastors I've ever had. The local Right to Life chapter was strongly anti-death penalty, though we lived in a small city that was quite conservative. One of my friends in my parish was openly pro-choice. (She supported legal abortion rights, though she would never have one herself—as she inadvertently demonstrated when she experienced a surprise pregnancy. Big surprise.) That stand won her the 'disappointment' of a prominent member of the parish, but as far as I know they remained friends. No one ever breathed a word against her receiving Communion!
I am horrified at the stand some of the bishops have been taking. It isn't all of the bishops, and certainly not all of the priests. Indeed, my mother told me a few weeks ago about the Sunday homily back home (Midwest again) about why Catholics should support universal health care and that it's a truly pro-life stance.
I'm not trying to change your decision, just to offer some encouragement. Florida Catholics are terribly conservative, in my experience, and I find myself seeking encouragement even more than I offer it.
I do hope that you can find a good church. If I were to leave my Church, I believe I would become Anglican—and I even have a couple of local churches in mind. I hope never to leave, however.
From:
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Yes, it is. But when people make you feel uncomfortable and not welcomed because of political beliefs, we had no choice. It's sad because I'm thinking this isn't very Christ-like.
The problem here in South Florida are the staunch right-wing Cubans. Hate to say it, but it's true. If you don't agree with them, they call you names and bash you. Not very democratic if you ask me.
I don't believe in preventing people from receiving Communion. As I recall, Jesus did say do not hinder the children from coming to me. I see it as we are his children (no matter what age/religion we are/follow). I am aware of the laws of the Church, but that one, I never really accepted.
I don't understand why Christians on the whole would not support universal health care. Okay, it may not be the best in some cases, but it sure beats the system we have now. I think they (those Christians opposed to it) are just following the party (Republican). I understand it costs, I understand we're in a debt, but I would rather be in debt for making sure people have health care than for a war.
We still consider ourselves Catholics. We just can't find a 'home' where people are not going to judge us. Odd to say that when I'm talking about a church.
My mom often says that I should start my own church. ;)
I believe I would become Anglican
That's where we've been looking actually. There is a church near us and I might give it a try.
I don't want to leave either, but like Father Cutie, I feel as if I've been pushed out.
From:
no subject
My mother-in-law was in Miami many years ago, when my husband was a toddler and she had an infant too. Their father was Coast Guard, always out on the ship. One day she went to confession at her parish and confessed to missing mass because she couldn't handle it with the two small boys and no help. The priest refused to offer her absolution.
She was devastated—but she stopped going to that parish and actually found a much better one, with a priest who forgave her and told her that if you can't make it to mass, it's really not a sin. She never left the church—at least partly because of that second priest.
Our parish is conservative, but from what you've said just immeasurably better than your old one—I can't imagine people acting that way. It's not right.
From:
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See, I don't agree with that and I'm glad your mom found a priest that understood her situation.
Yes, they do unfortunately. During the 2004 elections our priest had to do a homily on why it's democratic to have a difference of opinion and why we should be accepting of our diversity. Apparently, there were families that were fighting so badly, family members were no longer speaking to each other. That's how bad it got it here and I'm sure it was worse during this past election.
I'm reserving going to an Anglican church as my last option.
From:
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Religion and abortion laws are two firebombs to me in terms of discussion topics. Most people have such strong views on both and really in the end, all the debating in the world doesn't usually lead to someone changing their minds. Like you, I feel better when I know I can disagree with someone respectfully and still find some common ground.
From what I've read about the CCHD in the past, they sound like a productive, worthwhile organization that upholds the most basic principle of Christianity on helping your fellow human being. Even through my personal views against organized religion, I at least recognize that they are genuinely trying to do some good.
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I do think that CCHD has accomplished a lot over the years, and I hope the boycott isn't damaging. I suspect a lot of people sticking that piece of paper in their envelopes this weekend will not in fact make a contribution to an organization that is both "more Catholic" and dedicated to helping the poor (I'm not sure one exists). Many charities are seeing decreased giving even while need has increased greatly. I fear people in need will be hurt by this so-called protest.
From:
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One of my largest gripes is that people get so wrapped up in wanting to make a point that they do it at the expense of those in need that their supposed principles are supposed to be helping in the first place. (Hopefully that sentence make sense. I'm apparently too tired to make that more articulate)
I actually enjoy reading thoughts on abortion and the principles involved even if they differ from mine. Mainly because when I read well-constructed thoughts that are put together with logic, I feel it educates me and others like me who might not be aware of how sane people see pro-life as the best option.
My image of a pro-life supporter has drastically changed from when I was younger and all I could see in the media was news of how an abortion agency had been bombed by pro-life supporters. As you say, if the sane don't speak out, the crazies overshadow everything and damage the cause.
For me, I label myself as pro-choice because I do believe options should be available. Especially in the case of medical risk for both mother and child. However, if faced with a more straightforward situation of an unplanned pregnancy, I'd be the first to encourage the expectant mother to carry the baby to full term and then look at adoption possibilities. I just don't think it's my place or anyone else's really to make carrying the baby to full term be the ONLY legal option.
From:
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And yes, your sentence about principles makes sense to me. I see the current healthcare debate as a very dangerous high-wire act in that regard: I want to preserve doctors' and nurses' conscience rights not to perform abortions. Ideally, I'd like for people who don't believe in abortion not to have to pay for other people's abortions. Apparently, however, the Republican Party was paying for abortion coverage in insurance for their staff, unbeknownst to many!
At the same time, I don't want health care reform to fail, and an estimated 40,000 people annually to die unnecessarily, because of disagreement about abortion.
From:
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You'll excuse the phrase, but I see too many people who want to throw out the baby with the bathwater! They are against health reform because it 'might' allow more abortions. They are so very concerned about every precious fetus, but let the child be born and that's the limit of their concern. It's okay to let a child die by neglect or abuse, as long as it wasn't aborted. :oP
Yes, we need new terms. I'm not happy with the label pro-choice for myself, but it's better than the current connotations that are part and parcel of pro-life. The minute anyone tells me they are pro-life, I say, "So what do you feel about the state wanting to make capital punishment legal again?"
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Alaska doesn't have capital punishment currently? I didn't realize that! Florida, of course, does. I have written some letters against it, but a fat lot of good that did. The last place I lived, the local chapter of Right to Life was truly anti-death penalty—but the national isn't, and I only found out about the local right before I moved away! I do take that belated discovery as evidence that there are more real pro-lifers out there than even I thought.
From:
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Damn!! Seems the supposed 'pro-lifers' (the shit-stirrers) are at it again. Just because they're not exactly happy with how this charity runs their system - they're gonna accuse the Church of these things?! They'd better have proof to back that up!
*Sigh*
No...not one of my nearest and dearest charities, but they do good work - and they have the best interests of the people at heart (whether their flock or NOT) - this kin of hatemongering is disgusting and outrageous!
Give away honey!! Nothing hurts haters worse than to be ignored!
*hugs you tight*
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I find our lack of universal health care an ongoing shame for my country. Along with the lack of critical thinking: opponents keep saying that reform will ruin the top health care system in the world! Are they on drugs, or just wilfully ignorant? International studies rank the US thirty-seventh—until age 65. Our health care for people over 65 does rank among the top in the world. Why? Because we do guarantee medical care to every citizen over 65! We've got the facts; people just ignore them!
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I really do hope we can start moving towards the top health care in the world—at least break into the top 30!
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