Bishops Still Funding Sin

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A lay Catholic organization is exposing the U.S. Catholic bishops of funding contraception, condoms and abortions.

Lepanto Institute founder Michael Hichborn revealed his newest exposé, showing that Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is "directly and willfully responsible" for establishing a health referral network directing young women in Cameroon to clinics for Planned Parenthood-styled services.

Hichborn researched and compiled the 100-page report over the last year and over the course of three videos rolled out in recent weeks is showing CRS knowingly redacted or deleted incriminating public documents.

Another part of the report shows CRS referring and managing a website promoting abortion, contraception and condoms to the poor in African nations.

Despite comprehensive proof of wrongdoing by CRS, Hichborn tells Church Militant, "We've been met with a mixed reaction from bishops regarding our report. Some have expressed deep concern about the things we have uncovered and support for our work."

On March 4 Texas bishop Joseph Strickland called for an investigation into CRS following Hichborn's first video: "This report by the Lepanto Institute must be proven to be false. If what Lepanto says is accurate, then we should call for a thorough investigation of CRS. The confusion must stop. Promoting contraception is immoral and we are reaping sins devastation."

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' administrative committee has released a statement asking people to keep giving, saying, "Criticisms to the contrary should not detract from the powerful impact your donations have on the lives of otherwise forgotten suffering populations."

Hichborn goes on to note, "If the bishops don't want to believe us, that's fine. But they need to look at the documented evidence for themselves and have a completely independent third party investigate our claims about CRS and provide them with a report on their findings."

He also started a petition calling for Catholics to demand that bishops withdraw support from CRS because history shows the bishops are not likely to police themselves.

To hear more about this scandal watch today's episode of The Download—Bishops Still Funding Sin.

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