Caritas Sweden Funds and Is Member of Pro-Abortion Organizations

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

Recently, a supporter alerted us to some disturbing information concerning the diocese of Stockholm and the local arm of Caritas Internationalis in Sweden. After researching the complaint and contacting the parties involved, we can confirm that both the diocese of Stockholm and Caritas Sweden are openly partnering with and funding pro-abortion and pro-contraception organizations.

The Swedish Mission Council (SMC) is an "umbrella organization for churches and development organizations" that works to "promote sustainable development and justice on all levels." Unfortunately, SMC actively promotes abortion and contraception.

According to SMC:

Promoting respect for sexual rights and health are key elements of effective work towards gender equality. Increased knowledge about reproductive health, sexuality and sexual rights, access to health care, access to legal abortion and contraception are examples of areas that are important for SMC to work with. [emphasis added]

Membership in the SMC requires that organizations embrace SMC's "core values" and support its mission. Furthermore, all members must pay a membership fee. The image below is taken from the drop-down menu for "membership" on this page.

SMC lists Caritas Sweden as a member on the same page.

The Lepanto institute contacted both the diocese of Stockholm and Caritas Sweden regarding membership in SMC and we received the following response from Henrik Alberius, O.P., president of Caritas Sweden:

Thank you for your mail concerning SMR. [Note: SMC is also referred to as SMR] You are right that this organisation has a view that we of the Catholic diocese of Stockholm do not share. And it is, in fact, the diocese and not Caritas Sweden, who is member of SMR.

Now if you check the homepage of the diocese of Stockholm, you will see that we have taken a stand against what you are underlining.

Best,
Henrik Alberius

The diocese of Stockholm's website does have some basic information concerning Church teaching on abortion. However, Church moral teaching forbids participation in the promotion of or funding the propagation of abortion. Furthermore, Catholics are required to live by the very same faith they profess, which means that simply paying lip service to Church teaching while acting contrary to that teaching is the very height of hypocrisy.

Read the rest at The Lepanto Institute.

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.