Fr. Daniel Mindling, OFM, Cap., will serve as the new consulting
theologian for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
The move
comes in response to a review of the campaign, whose choices of grantees
have been criticized.
The priest is an academic dean and professor of moral theology at
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is presently a
consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on
Pro-Life Activities and the Task Force on Catholic Health Care.
According to the bishops' conference, the priest will provide ongoing
consultation on the moral and ethical dimensions of campaign's work.
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) had come under
criticism for funding groups and joining associations which promoted
abortion and homosexuality. Its new guidelines give priority funding to
Catholic groups and screen other recipients with more rigor.
Speaking of his new role, Fr. Mindling said this service “connects
greatly with my own interest in the life and justice issues facing the
Church.”
“I look forward to working together in this most important ministry,” he continued.
Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York said those
leading CCHD know “the importance of having a sound theological voice”
as an integral part of the campaign.
“Father Mindling’s readiness to
offer theological advice and counsel is very important for this outreach
of helping the poor and the vulnerable in our Church and in our local
communities.”
The bishop added that the appointment was an “important step” to
deepen the Catholic identity of the campaign’s work without losing its
original vision of creating an “essential and unique expression” of
Catholic commitment to the poor.
Cardinal-designate Donald Wuerl recommended Fr. Mindling, who served
as an advisor to the working group which prepared the review of the
campaign.
Bishop of Biloxi, Mississippi Roger Morin, who chairs the bishops’
CCHD subcommittee, said the review report reaffirms CCHD’s priority to
serve the poor while also making commitments to strengthening the
organization’s faithful expression of Catholic teaching and the Gospel.
On Tuesday CNA spoke with John Carr, executive director of the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development
Fr. Mindling’s appointment, he said, was a “big step” but “there are lots of other steps.”
Carr said that the consulting theologian was required to be named this year and the review board will be named next year.
“My hope and expectation is that it will be early in the year,” he
commented. At present, Carr said, his department is “redoing all the
contracts through CCHD,” including the grant applications and criteria.
He added that the USCCB subcommittee will consider Catholic Campaign for Human Development issues at their meeting Nov. 15-18.
SIC: CNA/INT'L