November 21, 2008 3:51 PM
Catholics: Campaign for Human Development second collection 11/23 - Just Say No
Our envelope boxes have envelopes for the second collection this Sunday for an organization euphemistically named the Campaign for Human Development.
Before giving, please read this excerpt from Obama and the Bishops by Richard John Neuhaus, editor of First Things.
When you consider the corruption and partisanship revealed in ACORN leading up to the election, you might want to not only tear up your envelope, but spread the word to others - including your parish priest -
The Campaign for Human Development (CHD) is an annual collection in parishes, usually on one of the last two Sundays in November. It used to be called the Catholic Campaign for Human Development but the Catholic was dropped, which is just as well since it has nothing to do with Catholicism, except that Catholics are asked to pay for it. Some bishops no longer allow the CHD collection in their dioceses, and more should not allow it. In fact, CHD, misbegotten in concept and corrupt in practice, should, at long last, be terminated.
Ten years ago, CHD was exposed as using the Catholic Church as a milk cow to fund organizations that frequently were actively working against the Church's mission, especially in their support of pro-abortion activities and politicians. Now it turns out that CHD has long been a major funder of ACORN, a national community agitation organization in support of leftist causes, including the abortion license. ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) is under criminal investigation in several states. In the last decade CHD gave ACORN well over seven million dollars, including more than a million in the past year. It is acknowledged that ACORN, with which Sen. Obama had a close connection over the years, was a major player in his presidential campaign. The bishops say they are investigating the connection between CHD and ACORN. They say they are worried that it might jeopardize the Church's tax-exemption. No mention is made of abusing the trust of the Catholic faithful.
What most Catholics don't know, and what would likely astonish them, is that CHD very explicitly does not fund Catholic institutions and apostolates that work with the poor. Part of the thinking when it was established in the ideological climate of the 1960s is that Catholic concern for the poor would not be perceived as credible if CHD funded Catholic organizations. Yes, that's bizarre, but the history of CHD is bizarre. The bishops could really help poor people by promptly shutting down CHD and giving any remaining funds to, for instance, Catholic inner-city schools. In any event, if there is a collection at your parish this month, I suggest that you can return the envelope empty--and perhaps with a note of explanation--without the slightest moral hesitation.
Posted in Catholicism, Church Issues | Permalink
Comments
Thank you for posting this, Barbara. Hey Catholics, go ahead and fill those envelopes this weekend, but then give them to a local crisis pregnancy center or Catholic Charities instead!
Posted by: Danielle | November 21, 2008 4:41 PM
You're absolutely right,Danielle. As a social worker for Catholic Charities, I saw many things which undermined my confidence in this collection. Now my suspicions are confirmed,and I am following your suggestion.
Thanks for the heads up, Barbara.
Posted by: Leticia | November 22, 2008 9:55 AM
Before you make your decision, please check out the Bishop's response:
http://www.catholicherald.com/bishop/detail.html?sub_id=8530
Posted by: HSmom | November 22, 2008 1:50 PM
Thanks for the heads up! I am printing this out and putting it in my collection envelope instead of cash.
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 22, 2008 1:53 PM
