Immigration has long been debated, raising questions about justice, mercy, and the common good. In Washington, D.C., this conversation takes center stage as Donald Trump begins his second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States and Cardinal Robert McElroy prepares for his installation as Archbishop. This convergence of leadership highlights a striking contrast: a president whose immigration policies often align with Catholic teaching on law and order and a cardinal whose rhetoric … [Read more...]
US Bishops Take Up Anti-Poverty Collection Despite Lack of Transparency
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the official anti-poverty program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), formally states on the USCCB website that it “is committed to transparency and continues to publish a list of recent grantees online each year.” Despite this commitment, however, the CCHD has refused to publish its grants list for over two years. The Lepanto Institute has tried for over a year to contact CCHD officials, requesting publication of all … [Read more...]
CCHD Funds Controversy: False Claim by Gamaliel Foundation
For the last 15 years, I have personally investigated and exposed the activities of hundreds of organizations receiving funds from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). During that time, bishops and officers of the CCHD have gone to great lengths to deny that there are any problems with CCHD grantees while continuing to ask for funds. In April, Ralph McCloud – the former CCHD director – suddenly departed his post without any explanation. Furthermore, it has been discovered that … [Read more...]
Prominent Catholics to US Bishops: Shut Down Controversial Campaign
Prominent Catholics from across the United States have signed an open-letter addressed to the bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), asking them to permanently close down the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). For over 50 years, the CCHD has been the center of an ongoing controversy as organizations promoting abortion, homosexuality, contraception, and outright Marxist ideologies have received CCHD grants. Since 2009, scrutiny over CCHD-funded … [Read more...]
US Bishops’ Quid Pro Quo With Funding Agencies
Since 2016, the Lepanto Institute has written about the Quid Pro Quo lobbying efforts of both the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on behalf of federal aid and development agencies.In May of 2016, we provided details regarding a joint-letter the USCCB and CRS sent to Congress requesting nearly $6 billion to be allocated for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief … [Read more...]
