The Plot Thickens at the USCCB

Charges are flying back and forth over the criticism of John Carr, Director of the peace and social justice department at the USCCB which oversees the Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). The bishop responsible for CCHD, Roger Morin, says all the charges against John Carr are "totally ridiculous." Bishop William Murphy, who chairs the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, went after Carr's accusers telling Catholic News Service,  “I’m concerned about these attacks on John Carr and I know they are false and I think they are even calumnious. I am taking this to be a very sad, sad commentary on the honesty of some people in these pressure groups." Ah yes, the best defense is a good offense. Attack the messenger. It's the same tactic used during the sex abuse scandals when parents were treated like enemies for trying to defend their children from sodomites in the priesthood. Your Excellencies, that strategy didn't work. Where's the openness and transparency you promised? Honesty is certainly at issue here. Perhaps you should examine your own consciences.

Meanwhile, neither bishop addressed the charges which show millions of Catholic dollars being poured into pro-abortion and pro-homosexual groups. But read the CNS article and the American Life League report for yourself. Calling the charges "totally ridiculous" doesn't address the serious scandal of dollars donated for poverty being poured into the coffers of those advocating for abortion, sodomy,  and same-sex marriage. The proof is there and attacking the messenger doesn't address the questions.

In a letter to all diocesan pro-life directors the USCCB's director of the Pro-Life Secretariat, Tom Grenchik defended Carr's pro-life convictions. ALL responded with an open letter to Grenchik pointing out that they never questioned Carr's pro-life beliefs, but the "serious lack of prudence displayed by the USCCB’s social justice arm in its dealings with organizations whose aims directly contradict Church teaching."

Meanwhile the mountain of scandals continues to grow. ALL sent out a news release February 4 detailing a list of heterodox speakers at the upcoming "Social Gathering Conference" which brings together Diocesan Social Justice personnel for a meeting in Washington D.C. February 7-10. Among those on the program is Diana Hayes,  "noted speaker for Call to Action, the 'Catholic' dissident group. Hayes is a homosexuality activist who wrote a book espousing liberation theology, calls for women’s ordination and promotes same-sex 'marriage.'" What a way to educate those responsible for administering social justice programs! Another radical on the agenda is Paul Booth. He and his wife Heather "have served as host committee members for the National Organization for Women's Intrepid Awards Gala." Heather also organized a project called "Jane" in 1965 to help women obtain illegal abortions before Roe v. Wade. That these individuals would be selected for a Catholic gathering  is just one more proof that the "social justice" arm of the bishops is totally corrupt.



I frankly have to laugh at both Bishop Mruphy and Bishop Morin having the gall to allege that those criticizing what's happening at the USCCB made no attempt to contact Carr and CCHD. According to ALL's open letter and an earlier LifeSiteNews story, that simply isn't true. Rob Gaspar of Bellarmine Veritas Ministries and Michael Hichborn of ALL attempted to meet with both John Carr and Ralph McCloud, CCHD director, last fall and were rebuffed.  But, hey, refuse the meeting and then blame the groups for not contacting you! It's a scheme worthy of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. In view of the USCCB's close association with the death peddlers in the Democratic party, maybe that's where the bishops are getting their advice. They certainly aren't looking to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Media Research Center Weighs in on USCCB John Carr Scandal

Brent Bozell takes on John Carr.

John Carr and Sargeant Schultz: They both know nothing!

Sargeant Schultz on the old Hogan's Heroes series was famous for his line, "I know nuthink...nuthink." Neither did John Carr according to his statements. Just one more innocent executive at the USCCB who would never think of doing anything that violates the Church's doctrine on the sanctity of human life. Excuse me if I'm a little skeptical. This is getting to be the standard line at the USCCB when executives are caught red-handed.

U.S. Bishops' Exec Responds to Charges of Cooperation with Pro-Abortion, Homosexualist Group

Eliminate the USCCB!

Connecting the Dots: Why the USCCB Cooperates with so much Evil!

 Have you connected the dots? Has the light bulb gone on? How many evils can one organization support before one comes to the conclusion that it is diabolical? A press release from American Life League today reveals some shocking data about John Carr, executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development at the USCCB (bishops' conference) which, incidentally, oversees the CCHD (Catholic Campaign for Human Development). Carr has worked at the bishops' bureuacracy since 1987.

Now lets take a look at his long-term connection to the Center for Community Change (CCC) which goes back at least to 1983. According to an American Life League press release, Carr held leadership positions at CCC from 1999 to 2006 "including chairman of the board."

ALL gives more interesting details:

In 2001, while Carr served as both a USCCB exec and CCC leader, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference funneled $150,000 to the pro-abortion group. The USCCB web site currently promotes the group and officials have spoken at CCC events.

“Strangely, Carr’s leadership on the CCC’s board shows up on several bios he’s submitted for speaking engagements, but the word for word bio on the USCCB web site mysteriously omits that one detail,” Hichborn said. “Why?”

Revelations of John Carr’s involvement in the Center for Community Change come only months after members of the Reform CCHD Now coalition, including American Life League, uncovered 31 CCHD grantees partnered with the CCC.

Some of us have been calling for reform of the CCHD for years because of the evil organizations it funds. Did the light go on as you read this? Is it any wonder that "31 CCHD grantees" were CCC partners since the fella overseeing the grants process works closely with the pro-abortion, pro-gay group?

I visited their website and they are self-professed "progressives," the new buzz word to replace "liberal." One blog entry on proposed health care legislation describes the need "for lifting restrictions on women's access to health services." Translation: abortion must be included in universal health care coverage. 

Then there was the Stop Stupak Coalition supported by CCC. Here's what CCC's representative said addressing the meeting. "Health Care Reform could represent a huge step forward in economic opportunity for women but these improvements should not come at the cost of more restrictions on reproductive health!" Obviously "abortion rights" are on their list of non-negotiables.

Now exactly why are the bishops who say they stand unequivocally for life, supporting this pro-abortion community organizing group? And why did they keep someone on who was working intimately with CCC in leadership positions while he was involved in CCHD grants, a clear conflict of interest? The answer: the bishops are either clueless and irresponsible or they support the evil while they pay lip service to Catholic teaching. In any case, they need to immediately fire John Carr who obviously works against their purported pro-life goals. But don't hold your breath. If they fired all of the bad guys at the USCCB most desks would be empty.

I recently wrote an article calling for the good bishops in the U.S. to divorce the USCCB for irreconcilable differences. Write to your bishop and suggest that he do so. And don't give to any fund drives he runs until he does. No money to CCHD and no money to the USCCB including through your parish collection which sends a percentage to the diocese. In ours I think the parish tax is 7%. Ask your pastor how you can give without any of your money going to the diocesan assessment. Unfortunately, money seems to be all they understand. The bishops are showing themselves to be out to lunch when it comes to their own wicked bureaucracy. Until they get it under control, you can't trust them with your money!