According to a recent OSV news article, the USCCB backs the efforts of PEPFAR. As you might expect, the USCCB’s relief and development agency, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), does as well. The acronym, “PEPFAR” stands for the U.S. “President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.” True, PEPFAR does support vulnerable people around the world and has helped in the fight against HIV/AIDS. But–how does it do this?
CRS Supports Contraceptives for Adolescents
How, indeed? Surely the USCCB and CRS know that part of PEPFAR’s strategy includes contraception for adolescents and young women in the countries receiving its grants. Its program includes “comprehensive HIV prevention services” for adolescent girls and young women. These comprehensive services include contraception and other “family planning” assistance. Giving contraceptive prescriptions to adolescents presumes that they will have sex. And given that they’re adolescents, it’s reasonable to assume they likely will do so outside of wedlock.
The Catechism tells us that sex outside of marriage, fornication,
..is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children. Moreover, it is a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young (CCC 2353).
The euphemism, “family planning services” typically includes contraceptives, and can include surgical sterilization and abortion. Yet, the USCCB and CRS encourage the efforts of PEPFAR that encourage this.
Exporting Our Woes to Africa
In our first-world culture, with all its family planning, it seems that we’ve collectively thrown in the towel in the fight for chastity. Recent CDC statistics show that 20% of people in the US have an STD. Almost half of the 26 million cases of STDs in the US were among people aged 15 to 24. The number of children living in single-parent households continues to rise. The rate of poverty among single parents is five times that of couples.
One in four women has suffered an abortion in the US, where the rate of reported abortions averages about a million a year. So, of course, this is all working so well here, so why not export it to third-world cultures and give them a helping hand? If you agree, continue to provide your hard-earned dollars to CRS, and keep quiet about how the government uses your tax dollars for PEPFAR. If not, consider alternative strategies for your almsgiving.
There Are Alternatives
Unlike PEPFAR and the relief arm of USCCB, CRS, other organizations fighting AIDS presume that individuals wish to live up to their dignity as sons and daughters of the King. Take, for example, Universal Chastity Education (UCE), of whose board I was previously a member. Founded nearly as long ago as PEPFAR, UCE continues to help people in Africa and the U.S. become free from the slavery of their passions, and of STDs. It does this through the promotion of abstinence and fidelity in marriage, by way of Christian principles. It subscribes to the basics of our Christian faith as stated in the Nicene Creed and in Sacred Scripture. Note the absence of any reference to family planning, condoms or other contraceptive strategies here.
A Faith-Based Approach
While omitting the use of such worldly means, UCE relies on the grace of God, a small, intensely dedicated staff and generous volunteers like the Dernovseks, who brought this program to fruition from their initial dream. Dr. Kim Dernovsek and Dr. Ken Dernovsek saw for themselves the power of prayer and turning back to God in reversing HIV/AIDS trends in Uganda a couple of decades ago.
Following the lead of the Ugandans and God’s will, they brought together the resources to allow Ugandans, and later Burundians and Tanzanians freedom from the scourge of STDs, and freedom in Christ. Since then, they’ve garnered an impressive list of endorsements from many clergy, including the Uganda Joint Christian Council, Archbishop Naumann, Archbishop Aquila, Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, and many more, for the work their people do.
Generating Positive Results
Sure, you may be thinking, talk is cheap. What about the results? Through outreach events at schools and other venues, UCE has reached hundreds of thousands of young people. Nearly 700,000 have signed chastity pledges. UCE’s website documents a number of findings showing reductions in teen pregnancies where UCE has conducted its outreach programs.
A reduction in teen pregnancies after a UCE outreach in rural Africa is a marker for decreased sexual activity. Where there is a decrease in sexual activity, it follows that there are decreases in related consequences, including HIV/AIDS, STDs and abortions. Unlike the approach used by PEPFAR, supported by the USCCB and CRS, the UCE teams focus on abstinence until faithful marriage and chastity through Christ. Perhaps there are lessons here for us in the developed countries.
Lessons Learned From UCE
One such lesson might be to set high expectations and encourage our people, young and old alike, in those expectations. Consider chastity and abstinence in the context of our dignity as children of God. Look to the message of Theology of the Body in this regard. We each are created in the image and likeness of God, with dignity, identity and purpose:
“The human body includes right from the beginning… the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift – and by means of this gift – fulfills the meaning of his being and existence.” – Pope St. John Paul II
Another lesson we dearly need to learn, in the depths of our hearts, is that God wants to set us free, not tie us up. He gave us the Decalogue, the Beatitudes and other precepts for our good. God is a loving Father. He would never tell us to do something that is not possible. If we, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to our children, why then, don’t we do that, instead of settling for their living in mediocrity? (cf. Mt 7:11) And why would we not expect our loving Father to give us the gifts–the graces–we need to live according to his plan for us? (cf. Phil 4:13)
When you decide firmly to lead a clean life, chastity will not be a burden on you: it will be a crown of triumph ( St. Josemaría Escrivá).
11 thoughts on “USCCB: Don’t Praise PEPFAR!”
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Dom, the following is a letter from 2020 in response to this nonsense which I see generally based upon 2008 – 2017 citations. I already provided Archbishop Timothy Broglio response from 2018 (which was good enough for me). However, I admit I wonder whether these citations have any link to the Knights of Malta crisis from 2017, which Pope Francis has resolved, but Bishop Caggiano’s letter settles the matter:
CRS.
228 West Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201crs.org / crsespanol.org-3443
March 9, 2020
Dear Brother Bishops:
I am writing to inform you that once again a Catholic blogger has launched an aggressive campaign against Catholic Relief Services, accusing the organization of not adhering to Catholic doctrine. He released what he calls part 1 of a series of attacks on March 2nd in an attempt to disrupt the CRS Rice Bowl campaign and raise funds for his own cause. While these reports may appear startling and perhaps even authentic, many of you know that the allegations have to date all been shown to be unfounded. The way in which these allegations are presented is not in good Christian faith and, what’s more, use distasteful and doctored imagery in an effort to deceive people with information taken out of context.
While you may see more of these reports in the coming weeks, I can personally assure you that CRS takes the allegations very seriously and investigates them to determine if they hold any truth. CRS and our board of directors have a careful review system to ensure all programs adhere to Catholic moral teaching and all funds under CRS’ direct control are used only for purposes complying with that teaching. CRS’ decision-making processes for both programs and partners are based on its Catholic identity, and the USCCB Administrative Committee has publicly stated its support for CRS in the face of previous accusations.
You may receive inquiries from parishioners, the media or others throughout Lent questioning
CRS because of these allegations, and I can assure you of the agency’s commitment to Catholic teaching and rigorous processes for making programming and partnership decisions in an effort to provide quality service to the poor on your behalf. CRS will provide statements/talking points so you are better able to respond to your parishioners.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance responding to parishioners who have genuine concerns. My prayer is that this Lenten season will be a time of self-reflection and renewal as we consider anew what our Lord’s death and resurrection mean for living lives filled with grace and charity. If your diocesan teams require any information regarding these allegations, please don’t hesitate to have them contact Paul Eagle ([email protected]) or Kim Pozniak ([email protected]) at Catholic Relief Services. I have also attached an addendum to this letter to provide you with additional specificity regarding CRS’ efforts.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop of Bridgeport
Chair, CRS Board of Directors
Melanie Jean Juneau, did you catch the part in the Bishop’s letter that states, “an attempt to disrupt the CRS Rice Bowl campaign and raise funds for his own cause. “? Isn’t it funny how this article does that same exact thing (ie, “Take, for example, Universal Chastity Education (UCE), of whose board I was previously a member)? Perhaps you can keep this in mind during your future editing approvals.
Victor,
You ignored my responses to your initial comment.
Now in this comment, you refer to “2008 – 2017 citations” But I suspect you’ve also seen other “citations” through 2020 regarding CRS, at the site I referred you to, https://www.lepantoin.org/wp/crs/
Readers may also want to follow the link you provided to CRS’ Form 990 to see nearly $2.5 MM paid to the top seven CRS employees for that year.
For you and anyone else who’s interested in the relationship between CRS and PEPFAR, there’s https://www.lepantoin.org/wp/crs-testamony-to-congress-2019/
You’ve ignored the fact that USCCB hasn’t shown the findings of fact in Lepanto Institute’s research to be false. Rather, the USCCB attacks the integrity of the provider of the facts, as do you. After the bishops’ accusations shown in your comment, Lepanto responded with a video you—and others—can watch here: https://youtu.be/qMLyJ2bo_aU
You don’t provide factual refutations of anything in my piece, (which is based on fact). Rather, you’ve attempted to impugn my integrity, inferring that I’m raising funds for an organization with my article.
And—you do all this with the anonymity of only a first name (if it’s even really your name), and no last name. Perhaps you have ties to the USCCB/CRS and that’s why this matters so much to you. I don’t know, and I really don’t care.
In any event, this is my last response to you and your attempts at disparagement. The facts speak for themselves.
May God’s peace be with you.
Wow, this is an unbelievably pedantic argument. Pepfar has saved 30million lives since it’s founding. Look at the science for abstinence, it doesn’t work. Condoms save lives.
Science and math both agree – abstinence works 100% of the time, Steve.
Melanie Jean Juneau, I’m curious how you justified allowing this paper to be published in its current format – knowing that it not only suggests we defund the charitable arm of our Church, but also make unsubstantiated insinuations that it is involved in abortion domestically in internationally. With friends like CS who needs enemies.
Steve, referring to Christian morality encompassed in the Decalogue, the Beatitudes and the teachings of the Magisterium is anything but pedantic to a believing Catholic Christian. It’s about far more than nit-picky rules or minor details. Rather, it’s about how to live in the joy and peace that only come from God in this life as we prepare for the next life.
As mentioned in another comment to this post, abstinence does work, all the time. Living chastely, in the dignity as sons and daughters of God, is something we’re all called to do, in single, or in married, states of life.
You comment that “condoms save lives.” Look again at stats mentioned in the article above as to STD’s, abortions, etc. in our contraceptive culture here in the US.
The link below is the 2021 (latest posting) for CRS’ filing with the IRS. Please direct your attention to page 12 of 61 which lists their source of revenue. On line 1E , you will see the US government gave over half of CRS’ revenue, therefore your opening sentence, “USCCB backs the efforts of PEPFAR…and (CRS), does as well” is misguided because it is backwards.
Also, if you direct your attention to page 31 of 61, it shows that $828 Million of its total gifts of $1,029 Million were given to Africa. Subtracting the government’s $622 Million here leaves CRS with 75% less! You now suggest we don’t give them anything. Please feel free to find the line for abortion services and condom procurement, I look forward to seeing where that is documented.
As a matter of fact, in 2018 Archbishop Timothy Broglio, then Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the current President of the USCCB, wrote “Although we have principled concerns about certain aspects of PEPFAR and the Global Fund prevention activities that we find inconsistent with Catholic teaching and DO NOT IMPLEMENT or advocate for those activities…” (my empasis). Apparently this is not a problem with the Government because it does not have land, buildings and the feet on the ground in the poorest areas of the world like the Catholic Church does!
CRS takes care of the orphans of AIDS. Telling him to keep his pants on is not exactly the medicine he needs.
https://www.crs.org/sites/default/files/crs-files/fy2021_form_990_final_-_web_version.pdf
Victor, thank you for your response to this article. I do want to answer your objections, though.
As to your first point, “…your opening sentence, ‘USCCB backs the efforts of PEPFAR…and (CRS), does as well is misguided because it is backwards,” look at what the linked article from OSV says. “backing” can mean something other than financial “backing.”
As well, consider that there is in reality no such thing as “no strings attached” largesse from any governmental entity. At the very least, once an organization takes money from the government, it becomes beholden to it. As you’ve pointed out yourself, CRS has received “… government’s $622 Million.” So, of course, it will go along with what the government proposes, even if it flies in the face of morality as given to us by Scripture and the Church.
God gave us the commandments (specifically # 6 and # 9 ) and the beatitudes, as well as the teaching of the Magisterium over these years to help us live in love, joy and peace. Violating what He knows is best for us won’t lead us to true love, joy or peace. “Keeping one’s pants on,” is living as God intended for our happiness here.
Victor, thanks for pointing out that, “abstinence works 100% of the time,” as you and I can agree on that.
As to your concern about my article being published here, it’s based on facts. For further information on USCCB/CRS, I’d suggest you go to the Lepanto Institute for more specifics: https://www.lepantoin.org/wp/CRS/ where Michael Hichborn lays out extensive research findings that go to the heart of your question.
Chastity education doesn’t work. PEPFAR’s efforts do.