Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Diocese of Sacramento clarifies decision to cut funding for Francis House

“Decision wasn’t made lightly”

 -- money will go to other programs helping the homeless that don’t ‘actively oppose our strongly held beliefs’


Fr. Michael F. Kiernan, director of Social Services for the Diocese of Sacramento, has issued the following statement clarifying the diocese’s decision to cut off funding to Francis House. (For background, see: “No more ‘parishioners’ money,” published in California Catholic Dailyon Friday, March 9, 2012. 

As you’ve probably seen in press reports this week, the Diocese of Sacramento has decided not to include funding for Francis House, a local Sacramento charity, in the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal. 

I notified Francis House in a 45-minute, face-to-face meeting with their Executive Director last January. It was a respectful conversation, reflecting the productive partnership we have enjoyed with Francis House and the good work Francis House has done -- and will continue to do -- on behalf of homeless families in Sacramento. 

The decision wasn’t made lightly. 

Catholic teaching compels us to help people in need, not because they are poor or sick, but because our concern for the poor is inseparable from our regard for human life and the dignity of the human person. It’s what compels us to protect life from natural birth to natural death, oppose abortion and act on our core belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. 

While we don’t expect or require organizations that receive our grants to promote Catholic teaching, we do expect, along with the parishioners who contribute to the Annual Catholic Appeal, that these organizations and their leaders not actively oppose our strongly held beliefs. 

Please be assured that our commitment to helping those who are homeless is undiminished. The funding that would have gone to Francis House will be directed to other homeless programs. 

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Rick Maya, Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation, at (916) 733-0266 or myself at (916) 733-0254.

 

From http://www.calcatholic.com/