Report: ‘Catholic McCarthyism’ threatens bishops’ anti-poverty push

[rug]

Published: June 11
By David Gibson | Religion News Service,

Conservative activists are threatening the social justice mission of the Catholic Church just when the country needs it most, a new report charges, by attacking the church’s flagship anti-poverty program with 21st-century style “Catholic McCarthyism.”

The report, released Tuesday (June 11), says the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is hamstrung by conservative purists who make it impossible for the church to join with other programs or agencies to combat the systematic causes of poverty.

“A small but well-financed network has emerged as a relentless opponent of the bishops’ social justice campaign, which has long been recognized as one of the most influential funders of grassroots community organizing,” writes John Gehring, who authored the 24-page report for Faith in Public Life, a Washington-based lobby of religious progressives.

What may be most significant about the report is that it has won strong public backing from prominent bishops and church leaders, including two former presidents of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/report-catholic-mccarthyism-threatens-bishops-anti-poverty-push/2013/06/11/c4323b5a-d2c6-11e2-b3a2-3bf5eb37b9d0_story.html

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

1. From the article

Critics also accuse the program of working with non-Catholic groups that undermine battles against abortion and gay rights that they say should dominate the bishops’ agenda.

After all, doesn't Matthew 25:34-35 say, "Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for you opposed gay rights"?

[TommyCelt]

2. I wish...

these "former" USCCB heads and officials who are speaking up now would have found their voice beofre they stepped down. Would've given more teeth to what they had to say. Unfortunately, you don't get to become a USCCB official in the first place by publicly speaking out and advocating for social justice.

Praying this ideology will shift under Papa Francis. Big ship to turn around...

[meow2u3]

3. Who died and elected two-bit American conservative activists Pope?

[IrishAyes]

4. I once knew a wonderful, easy going priest who gave ONE fiery homily the whole time I knew him

And it was because someone had dared try to make the Church help only its own members instead of all the poor indiscriminately. Man, he was full of righteous fury!