Diocese criticizes cancer foundation

Valley Catholics are being asked to pressure the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to stop funding cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics.

The foundation is one of the nation’s leading organizations in raising money for breast cancer awareness, and although the organization says Planned Parenthood uses the money only for cancer screenings, the church is concerned Planned Parenthood also performs abortions.

"Some will argue the grant is earmarked for areas other than abortion or contraception, so the affiliation between the organizations is inconsequential," said an editorial in Thursday’s Catholic Sun, the diocese newspaper. "But the sad reality is that the grant money now frees up Planned Parenthood funds for those other areas opposing life and counter to our Catholic faith."
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The editorial was approved by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. But Olmsted has not taken action against two major Komen supporters with ties to the diocese.

…A Planned Parenthood representative said some people in the community have a misconception about the organization’s work.

"The reality is that over 90 percent of our work is about sexual health education and prevention of unplanned pregnancy and disease," said Melissa Fink, the organization’s spokeswoman. "Last year alone, our health centers served nearly 55,000 women and men across central and northern Arizona."

I like the irony of "misconception about the organization’s work" and then talking about the prevention of unplanned pregnancies. I also find it rather funny that they defend themselves that they do not just do abortion, but provide contraception also as a rebuttal for why Catholics should support them.