Archbishop Tsarahazana reports that CRS is no longer involved in immoral anti-life program

Contact: Anne Morse, Population Research Institute, 540-660-2733

FRONT ROYAL, Va., Aug. 2, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- We at PRI are delighted to know that the problems reported to us by the Archbishop of Toamasina have now been resolved.

Some months ago, Archbishop Désiré Tsarahazana of Toamasina (Tamatave), told us:

"Even in my own diocese! Without my knowledge,...they [CRS] were working on an artificial contraception project here...And, then, the Catholic people around here heard about it and said: "What's that all about? That's supposed to be 'Catholic?'" So, there you have it: They [CRS] were following the instructions of USAID."

We now learn, from a brief USCCB press release, that Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Tsarahazana had an "open and constructive conversation" today, in which the Archbishop told the Cardinal that "in the past there had been some confusion in his archdiocese" but that now "CRS is acting in accord with Catholic teaching and does not provide or facilitate access to contraception or abortion."

We await clarification from CRS as to whether the problem was resolved when the offending program, Santenet2 program ended on July 24th, or whether CRS proactively ended its participation in this immoral program.

We would also like to thank Cardinal Dolan, who is president of the USCCB, which is ultimately responsible for the actions of CRS, for his helpful intervention in this matter of concern to all Catholics of good will.