Phoenix diocesan newspaper warns against Komen breast cancer foundation

The diocesan newspaper in Phoenix has editorialized against the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for its ties to Planned Parenthood. The editorial, signed by the newspaper’s editor but implicitly approved by Bishop Thomas Olmsted, says that Catholics shouldn’t give to the Komen foundation to avoid supporting Planned Parenthood.

The foundation says that the money is only given to the world’s largest abortionist for cancer screenings, but the diocesan newspaper makes the obvious and logical point that money is fungible. It’s not like the money gets segregated from their abortion work. It all goes in one big wallet that supports their primary mission.

“Some will argue the grant is earmarked for areas other than abortion or contraception, so the affiliation between the organizations is inconsequential,” said an editorial in Thursday’s Catholic Sun, the diocese newspaper. “But the sad reality is that the grant money now frees up Planned Parenthood funds for those other areas opposing life and counter to our Catholic faith.”

The Arizona Republic notes that St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix donated $10,000 to the Komen foundation as a sponsor of the race and received a $75,000 grant from them. The hospital is technically not a part of the diocese, but as a Catholic institution they owe him obedience. Will they be getting a call?

Meanwhile, a member of the board of the Foundation for Senior Living, a diocesan organization, is also in charge of public relations for the Komen foundation fundraising walk. She says she has no problem with the grants to Planned Parenthood.

A flimsy hypocrisy charge

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Interestingly, the Republic tries to stick the diocesan newspaper with a hypocrisy charge, pointing out that it carries advertisements from three groups that take up opposing stances to Church teaching. But the Republic obviously doesn’t understand proximate versus remote material cooperation. The chief executive officer of the Bashas’ Supermarket chain ran for governor in 2004 as pro-abortion, pro-women and married priests, and pro-birth control. Granted, by his last name we can assume he’s part of the family that owns the chain, but is it a public or private company? Does the fact that a high-ranking employee of the company holds contrary views make the entire company unacceptable? I don’t think this is the same thing as the Komen situation.

The second company is Cigna Healthcare. This is more relevant as the company insures abortions and contraceptive coverage.

The third is a theatre troupe called the “Actors Theatre.” A past president of the troupe is a member of the Planned Parenthood board of directors. That seems a very flimsy connection. Out of the three it’s the biggest reach by the newspaper. Are Bashas Supermarkets and the Actors Theatre organizations that provide any kind of material or moral support for Planned Parenthood or other group that engages in immoral or unethical conduct? Seems unlikely. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bashas and Cigna ads disappear from the diocesan newspaper.

Posted by Domenico Bettinelli on 11/3/06 at 01:12 PM  •   • 

COMMENTS

I haven’t contributed to the Susan G Komen foundation for years because of this connection.  I didn’t think my respect for Bishop Olmsted could grow any more!  What a fabulous shepard.

Posted by Lynne  on  11/4/06  at  09:11 AM

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