This weekend the Catholic Church in the United States holds its annual Campaign for Human Development, as announced in last week's bulletin. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) seeks to address the root causes of poverty and oppression here at home, in keeping with Jesus' command to wash one another's feet, to love neighbor, to do unto others. The popes have repeatedly called closing the growing gap between rich and poor "the greatest challenge facing North America." [1]
Recently, several parishioners have received e-mail concerning a group who call themselves "Reform CCHD Now" or "RCN". They level serious accusations against the bishops, calling them Marxists and abortionists, even saying that they promote prostitution. The RCN urges Catholics to boycott the coming CCHD collection.
Please know that the groups behind "RCN" are fringe groups. There is no substance to their accusations. They cannot be taken seriously. I urge Catholics to support the Campaign for Human Development and I thank you for your generosity. If you would like more information about the RCN, ask me and I'll be happy to share what I know.
Peace and all good things,
Fr. Bob
[1] For example, in Pope John Paul II's Message to the Special Assembly for America, 1 Dec. 1997: "In the North, we look with dismay and alarm as the gap widens year by year between those who have an abundance and those who have only the barest of resources." See: http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01121997_p-32_en.html
Recently, several parishioners have received e-mail concerning a group who call themselves "Reform CCHD Now" or "RCN". They level serious accusations against the bishops, calling them Marxists and abortionists, even saying that they promote prostitution. The RCN urges Catholics to boycott the coming CCHD collection.
Please know that the groups behind "RCN" are fringe groups. There is no substance to their accusations. They cannot be taken seriously. I urge Catholics to support the Campaign for Human Development and I thank you for your generosity. If you would like more information about the RCN, ask me and I'll be happy to share what I know.
Peace and all good things,
Fr. Bob
[1] For example, in Pope John Paul II's Message to the Special Assembly for America, 1 Dec. 1997: "In the North, we look with dismay and alarm as the gap widens year by year between those who have an abundance and those who have only the barest of resources." See: http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01121997_p-32_en.html
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