Diocese Puts Religion Before Helping the Homeless

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento has decided to stop funding Francis House, an agency that serves the homeless, because the nonprofit’s director supports marriage equality and abortion rights.

Reports the Sacramento Bee:

In a letter last month, the diocese’s director of social services said the Rev. Faith Whitmore’s public statements on the issues clash with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Therefore, said the Rev. Michael Kiernan, the social services director, it is “impossible for the diocese to continue funding Francis House” as part of its annual Catholic Appeal.

Each morning, dozens of poor people line up at Francis House, in Sacramento’s homeless services epicenter on C and 14th streets, for help with basic services such as housing and transportation. Now in its 42nd year, the organization is one of the largest homeless services agencies in the Sacramento region, serving upward of 25,000 people. It has an annual budget of about $500,000.

For at least two decades, Francis House has received annual donations from the diocese ranging from $7,500 to $10,000, said Michael Miiller, a member of the agency’s corporate advisory board.

In the letter to Francis House the Sacramento Diocese, while cheering the work Francis House has been doing and recognizing it cannot expect every organization it supports financially to “actively promote Catholic teaching”, says:

“We can expect, however, that they or their leaders not publicly oppose Catholic teaching and that, unfortunately, is the situation in which we find ourselves.”

The letter notes a concern that some may think that donations the Diocese has made could be perceived as condoning the views of the head of the organization.

Whitmore, senior pastor of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento, took over directorship of Francis House last April following the sudden death of its previous director.

Whitmore had in 2008 decided to preside over the marriages of a number of same-sex couples while gay marriage was legal in California. She has also said she supports a woman’s right to an abortion.

The diocese, on the other hand, opposes gay marriage and abortion and is, according to its website, supporting the so-called 40 Days for Life campaign, a religious campaign coinciding with Lent that is against abortion and advocates praying outside of clinics that offer abortion related services.

Whitmore maintains that her views are all privately held and in no way would interfere with her duties as a representative of Francis House. Interestingly, the board of directors for the non-profit agency is said to be backing Whitmore.

Of course in this regard the diocese is allowed to do with its funds as it wishes (though perhaps not with the privilege of tax exemption) and it does seem fair that money collected from its parishners should go to causes that are in line with Catholic teaching.

However, Whitmore doesn’t mandate that any of the homeless that are helped by Francis House subscribe to her personal stance on same-sex marriage or abortion, so it is hard to see in what way the nonprofit is “actively” going against Catholic teaching. Indeed, the diocese seems to be reprimanding her for just thinking differently to them, and witholding funds for the nonprofit on that basis.

It appears that for the diocese, in this context at least, Christian love and charity is conditional, the homeless who need those services be damned.

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Image used under the Creative Commons Attribution License with thanks to Elvert Barnes.

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Marcia G.

11:05AM PDT on Mar 25, 2013

The food pantry that was supported by diocisene (sp) was closed due to cost.
..Many church members chose to re-open it and to fund/staff it on their own to help those in need. rather than donate to rebuild the cathedral which had burned..the only part that had remained was the steeple..if I remember correctly; the steeple had cost a million..really pretty gold one.
Google St Raphaels..Madison WI...
This area is stuck with Bishop Morlino..who really needs to rethink a lot of his attitudes re: the poor, women and staying out of politics.

March 25
send a green star

Mary H.

10:27AM PDT on Mar 25, 2013

Really, why should they expect to support an org that works against their beliefs? Would you expect a communist to support an org that believes in capitalism? How many conservative Christians orgs (that, say, believe in sex only in heterosexual marriage and in a young earth?) does the average liberal support? Are you willing to say nasty things about them if they don't?

Martin K.

8:06AM PST on Dec 13, 2012

It has been obvious for many years with the means of the internet and finally the media, has exposed the "anti-christ "cult", known as the Catholic Church, which according to Jesus shouldn't judge, has been following perfectly been in lock- step with the powerful Corporations and the Elite to lower the lives of the poorest among us to the barest living condition.
I have found that in the last 12 years there have been a grand concerted effort to lower the standard of living by the Elite with the assistance of this so called Christian church.
This cult rakes in $96 billion a year mostly from working class parishioners.
This is besides the wealth of the Vatican's art and other valuable assets.
This cult has the blessing of the Elite who's behaviours go counter to the teaching of Jesus Christ's about compassion and charity.
If Catholics are reading this and disagree with my dissertation, ask your pastor where Jesus went wrong about the sermon on the mount. He'll give you the old worn out flawed reasons how the CHURCH is following Christ teachings and questions your obedience to the church. When mentioning anything about their involvement of covering up priest who deviled thousands of children world wide, which Jesus condemned so vehemently, he will get very angry for you to question the authority of the Church which you have no right to.

December 13
send a green star

Elaine K.

6:41AM PST on Dec 13, 2012

First of all, the money that had been donated by the catholic church is abysmally low considering the wealth of the church. Second, the church is known for the condemnation of any one or any organization who does not subscribe to the church's teaching. For any organization or person to stop helping others in need is not the basis of any religion. Catholic nuns are much more compassionate and have been condemned by the church for their beliefs. Better not to except any money from this place and continue with the good work you have been doing. I truly wish I had enough money to help all.

Evelyn Mc M.

5:15AM PST on Dec 13, 2012

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/38/abolish-the-tax-exempt-status-of-catholic-businesses/

I went to sign this petition this morning, it is closed with only 359 of the hopeful 1,000 signers. Why? Who closed it?

Carmen F.

4:15AM PST on Dec 13, 2012

A donation is not mandatory. On CARE2 we petition and donate to our chosen causes.. What MUST happen to the Catholic Church and ALL Churches is that they MUST start paying taxes, property taxes. There is no excuse.

Ann D.

5:22AM PDT on Jul 29, 2012

All catholics who have a heart should "tithe" to the causes not the church. Then watch the diosese quickily change it's "mind".

July 29
send a green star

Past Member .

3:01AM PDT on Jul 29, 2012

First of all, this whole flap about abortion and
same-sex relationships is nothing
but old news from the primitive 1970's and 1980's.

Secondly, we don't need the Inquisition to make
a return in the modern 21st Century..
500 years ago, it was a common-place..
But it's not popular anymore in today's society..

People whom are one with our Creator (Great Spirit)
should help the less fortunate, regardess of race, color,
creed, or whatever, for they are our sisters and brothers,
and not expect them to conform to a load of rigid ideological dogma...
This Diocese who preaches God's love, yet won't help
the poor and destitute are hypocrites.

Personally, I don't conform to a load
of ideological dogma from these organized religions....
I follow my own spiritual path and I'm involved in vaious
causes for our (endangered) wildlife
(especially our wolves) AND for freedom for humanity.

Joe C.

10:51AM PDT on Apr 10, 2012

Being raised Catholic/Christian this goes against everything I was taught. Early Christianity grew because of the way Christians helped the poor and struggling people, asking nothing in return. Other so called religions at the time taxed the people for their right to worship the gods of the ruling party, King or whatever. Christianity was banned by the same powers in charge, fearing they would take money our of their hands. What happened, we are all children of God, whatever, God you worship. I don't believe in giving to those who do not want to help themselves, but, aren't those people who are homeless and seeking shelter at least trying to provide a better home for themselves and their children. Another thing we should be aware of is that 55% or higher of the homeless are veterans, please do not forget that they served for our freedom. Other people.families that are homeless should not be judged also, we have not walked a mile in their shoes. The Catholic church has to practice what they preach, I am sure if the church sold some of their valuables or stopped giving to other less important charities, God would provide a way for the Catholic church to prosper.