I am very serious
Denver, Jan 29, 2008 (CNA).- At a press
conference today on the Pope’s Lenten Message, Cardinal Paul Josef
Cordes offered his support for Archbishop Charles Chaput’s recent stand
against a potential Colorado law. The bill would eradicate Catholic
Charities’ ability to ensure its employees follow Catholic beliefs when
working on state funded projects.
Last week, Chaput objected to a proposed measure before the Colorado
legislature which would bar charitable agencies that receive state
funding from discrimination on the basis of religion in personnel
policies. Chaput argued that such a measure would compromise the
Catholic identity of church-run charities, and that he would rather see
those charities stop delivering services rather than comply.
“This is not idle talk,” Chaput added. “I am very serious.”
According to the National Catholic Reporter, this morning in Rome,
Cardinal Cordes expressed support for Chaput’s position. In response to
a reporter’s question, Cordes stated: “This bishop is doing the right
thing.”
The president of the papal charity Cor Unum continued, saying,
“Theologically, charitable activity and the good deeds of the faithful
are always connected to the proclamation of the Word. Jesus performed
his works because he was moved by mercy, but also to proclaim the
gospel. Service is always tied to testimony to the Word of God, and no
one must break this connection.”
“This points to a great contemporary problem. Thanks to the generosity
of many donors, the charitable agencies of the church are able to do
their work. But this carries a risk that the spirit of a Catholic
agency can become secularized, doing only what the donor has in view.”
I hadn't heard that Archbishop Chaput had said this. Once again it proves what a great bishop he is and in this instance is following the footsteps of Cardinal O'Connor who threatened much the same thing in response to interference. Cardinal O'Connor won out against the city and let us pray the same for Archbishop Chaput.
Known as 
Maybe state funds shouldn't be used for charity. Maybe charity should be used for charity.
I think the big surprise is that the Reporter printed something in support of Archbishop Chaput.
The Register, sure. The Reporter? Not so likely.
Praying for Archbishop Chaput and that more bishops will take a similar stand against secular control of Catholic charity.
Cardinal O'Connor is missed in the NY area. I'll pray for Archbishop Chaput.
He is a Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat Archbishop!
Although I support Bishop Chaput 100%, I wonder if maybe it would be best if Catholic charitable organizations stopping taking government funding. I'm undecided on that, but it might be better for all to have truly independent, but smaller oragizations than to close down entirely.
Bshp. Needanhour should learn from his fellow Bishop on how to man Catholic Charities.
WHy should a Protestant pay taxes to fund a project of which a Protestant is ineligable to work for because of his religion?
I support Abp. Chaput infinite x 100%! Let us pray for him. Anyway of getting someone like him out to LA?
Well said, Billie and Mike! When Catholic charities and schools start taking state and federal monies, they will soon find the government strings attached. The separation of Church and State exists to protect us. Otherwise, we'd have the Canadian and UK model of government meddling.
Why should a Christian pay to fund just about everything that is against his conscience, Katherine? One awful thing about non-profit status is that it makes opposing "charities" hold hands.
Try working in non-profit without touching Planned Parenthood, for a big instance. I'm not sure it's possible anymore. We are all funding and cooperating with evil. Maybe we need a nationwide Christian tea party.
I wouldn't mind funding a non-Catholic charity with my taxes. (anti-Catholic hurts, though.) BUT being forced to fund murder and immorality is unjust.
I seem to recall a number of 60 to 66% of catholic charities funding comes from gov't sources.
We in northern Colorado are blessed to have such an extraordinary shepherd.
Catholic Charities does a disproportional amount of service to this state, and no one is turned away--Catholics, Protestants, Jews, atheists, whites, blacks, Hispanics all receive aid. The government is incapable of doing such work.
This bill would harm Colorado, not just Catholic Charities. I shutter to think what would happen if we must stop this ministry. There would be a huge vacuum with nothing to fill it.