Catholics and Catholic organizations should not endorse organizations
with “morally objectionable” missions, North Dakota’s bishops said,
citing Amnesty International, the March of Dimes and Susan G. Komen for
the Cure because of their links to abortion or unethical research.
Bishops Paul A. Zipfel of Bismarck and Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo in a
March 10 statement called upon pastors, clergy and the lay faithful to
be prudent and just in making their charitable decisions, particularly
on issues related to human life and marriage.
“All human life is sacred and must be protected,” the bishops said.
“This is why we should not support or endorse individuals and
organizations that provide, promote, or advocate for abortion,
contraception, ‘reproductive rights/family planning,’ or embryonic stem
cell research.”
They also noted the foundational nature of marriage to the common
good of society.
Therefore, Catholics should not support individuals and
organizations that “seek to redefine marriage” or devalue its
importance, the bishops said.
Catholic entities should not support the human rights group Amnesty
International because in 2007 it adopted a “pro-abortion” position.
The
March of Dimes, which aims to prevent birth defects, premature birth,
and infant mortality, also supports embryonic stem cell research,
pre-implantation diagnosis for embryos, and mandatory contraceptive
coverage in insurance plans.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure anti-breast cancer organization,
known for its “Race for the Cure,” has helped fund Planned Parenthood,
the country’s largest abortion provider.
It also “refuses to acknowledge
the link between abortion and breast cancer,” Bishops Zipfel and Aquila
wrote.
The two bishops also singled out the child welfare organization
UNICEF because it now supports contraceptive and abortion services.
The
American Association of University Women, which often provides
scholarships with money raised through book fairs, “strongly supports”
abortion rights and same-sex “marriage,” while opposing “parental choice
in education.”
The CROP Walk hunger awareness effort, sponsored by the National
Council of Churches’ agency Church World Service, has partners which
support the handing out contraceptives in their overseas missions.
Catholic Church facilities should not be used to promote, endorse or fundraise for organizations if their policies are contrary to Church teaching, the bishops explained.
Catholic Church facilities should not be used to promote, endorse or fundraise for organizations if their policies are contrary to Church teaching, the bishops explained.
“We applaud the charitable giving and social justice efforts of our
parishes, Catholic schools, and individuals. At the same time, we urge
attentiveness to the possibility of endorsing an organization whose
mission or affiliation may be morally objectionable or, at least,
questionable.”