By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A new report issued by the American Life League has found that a top executive with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has “deep ties” with a national organization that promotes abortion and homosexual rights.
Pewsitter.com is reporting that John Carr, an executive in the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, which oversees the scandal-ridden Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has been involved with the radical Center for Community Change (CCC) since 1987.
The Center for Community Change lists among its core advocacy causes the promotion of abortion, “reproductive rights” and homosexuality.
“The closer we look at the Bishops Conference [staff and programs], the more we find a systemic pattern of cooperation with evil,” said Michael Hichborn, American Life League’s lead researcher into the scandal. “The CCC has lodged itself into the highest places of power in the USCCB while working to promote abortion and homosexuality.”
The report shows that in 2001, while Carr served as both a USCCB executive and CCC leader, the Catholic Bishops Conference funneled $150,000 to the CCC. The USCCB web site currently promotes the group and officials have spoken at CCC events.
This is especially troubling since information surfaced in November, 2009 about CCHD money being granted to 31 pro-abortion groups affiliated with the CCC, a situation which led to a huge scandal with many dioceses refusing to take up the annual collection for the CCHD.
“Why has the USCCB promoted CCC on their website,” asks Matt Smith, vice president of the Catholic Advocate, a lay organization dedicated to addressing authentic Catholic political participation.
“How can the Bishops’ conference effectively advocate for policies in line with the teachings of the Church while at the same time providing money to groups working against those same teachings? Part of the game in Washington is joining coalitions to pass legislation. But joining and funding groups that contradict the basic priorities of the church on the sanctity of life and marriage is not advocacy, it is euthanasia of our values.”
Catholic Advocate, a member of the ReformCCHDNow coalition which includes the American Life League and several other groups, issued a statement today calling upon CCHD Chair Bishop Roger Morin of Biloxi, Mississippi to conduct an independent review of grant applications over the past ten years and the minutes of CCC board meetings during the period when USCCB staffers such as Carr were members.
“Bishop Morin can help clear the air by presenting a thorough public report to the full leadership of the USCCB,” the group said.
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