(Counter-Witness is a column of record for those who have eyes and never see, ears and never hear. (Ezek. 12:2) Perhaps one day they will see and hear.)
United Way
In 1976 Toronto’s RC Archbishop Philip Pocock objected to the United Way’s decision to start funding Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is the chief promoter of the anti-life, anti-family mentality in Canada and around the world. In the United States, for example, Planned Parenthood runs some one hundred abortuaries.
Archbishop Pocock withdrew the various Catholic Charities from the United Way in the Metro-Toronto area and then initiated a separate annual charity drive called Share Life. This has proven to be very successful.
The principle behind the decision to reject the United Way was and is clear: one cannot denounce evil and then cooperate and finance it.
The Dufferin-Peel RC Separate School Board thinks differently. Its territory includes such large Toronto area cities as Brampton (120,000) and Mississauga (500,000). The Board is soliciting support for the United Way from all its teachers through a payroll deduction plan. The form also facilitates making donations “to the United Way of a neighboring region.”
The United Way in the Toronto area has not changed its support for Planned Parenthood. Until they do, it would make sense that Catholic institutions refrain from funding them or any group with similar agendas. Indeed today, many social agencies will refer for abortions, not to mention the whole array of contraceptives.
