Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass

Development and Peace continues renewal with pro-life protocols

Kris Dmytrenko

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Last month on Perspectives, S+L reported from the annual plenary assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Of particular interest to pro-life and social justice advocates, the agenda included a report by the bishops' Ad Hoc committee on Development and Peace (CCODP). CCODP is the official international development agency of the Catholic Church in Canada. On Monday the bishops released new details about the report that was discussed behind closed doors.
The committee's mandate was to assist Development and Peace as it re-examined its principles and mandate in light of Pope Benedict’s social encyclical Caritas in Veritate. The “renewal process” followed reports that CCODP was working with some partner organizations who engaged in pro-abortion advocacy. The projects specifically funded by CCODP were not related to abortion.
With the cooperation of Development and Peace, the Ad Hoc committee reviewed all 248 projects that the organization was funding. The bishops said that they received “complete and detailed information” and “full disclosure” throughout the lengthy process. The bishops concluded that they were “satisfied” with the results of their inquiry.
The committee reported that CCODP is now preparing new protocols. One such regulation would require its partners to disclose involvement in work that would “contradict Catholic principles of respect for life”. Moreover, revisions to the CCODP Partnership Agreement “will reflect the obligation to respect life values and conformity with Church teachings”. The committee notes that these changes may take months to formally approve, given CCODP's by-law process.
A new protocol already in place resembles a funding restriction established by the Archdiocese of Toronto. In July 2009, Archbishop Thomas Collins placed conditions on the allocation of ShareLife funds to Development and Peace. To distribute Toronto's donation, CCODP needed to obtain approval from the local bishop where the project was taking place. A similar requirement now extends to all CCODP's projects. Program officers will routinely visit the local bishop to inform him about their funding relationship with the local partner organization.
The new protocols could spur reforms of other Catholic development organizations. The Ad Hoc committee noted that Caritas Internationalis was “following the current CCODP renewal process with considerable interest”, given “similar concerns” about Catholic Relief Services and CAFOD, operating in the United States and Great Britain respectively.
-
Photo: CCN / Deborah Gyapong


Related Articles:

Category: General Posts

Tag: abortion, Ad Hoc committee, Canada, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Catholic bishops, CCCB, CCODP, D+P, Development, Development and Peace, episcopal conference, peace, plenary assembly, pro-life

My Manresa Story: Resting a While

Monday, February 24, 2025

Gianpaolo Capozzi

At the Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering, ON, retreatants of all ages can encounter a God of surprises.

A House Not Made With Hands: St. Anne’s Anglican Church

Friday, February 21, 2025

Scott Harris

In June, 2024, the domed roof and interior of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto tragically burned down. However, the parish community continues to stand strong and serve its neighbourhood.

Pray with Pope Francis Reflection – February 2025

Friday, February 7, 2025

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life. 

Pray with Pope Francis Reflection – January 2025

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.

What the CND sisters are looking forward to this Christmas

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Maria Montemayor

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH