Archbishop Prendergast's Actions Cancelling D+P Associated Speak Proves LifeSiteNews Claims Have Basis in Fact

Over the last couple of years LifeSiteNews has done yoeman's duty in uncovering the truth about where the CCCB's Development and Peace funding is going. In the process it has been revealed that D+P is giving money to groups that undermine authentic Catholic teaching, especially about abortion.

Not only that, rather than admit the truth, there has been obfuscation, denial & even attacks on LifeSiteNews for their part in getting the truth out there. Even last Fall when the CCCB came up with a so-called exit strategy to end “controversial” partnerships (D+P: What Exit Strategy? Just Quit Funding Those Groups), the report explicitly failed to acknowledge that D+P has funded numerous groups who advocate for abortion, contraception, & the homosexualist ideology.

Well, it just got a little harder for the CCCB & D+P to claim they weren't funding groups that were pro-abortion. & Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast has provided the proof.

Last week, after an investigation into Father Luis Arriaga, director of the Miguel Pro Centre for Human Rights (PRODH), the Archbishop announced the cancellation of his appearance at the diocesan centre yesterday (2 April) as well as those scheduled at Catholic parishes in the archdiocese over the weekend. This occurred after Archbishop Prendergrast met with Fr. Arriaga upon his arrival in Ottawa. At that meeting the archbishop “discussed with him, and with representatives of Development and Peace, the Centre’s support of groups espousing abortion.”

On Friday, 1 April the Archdiocese issued a statement annuncing the cancelation of the appearances as well as an explanation of why. “Since the Centre’s support of groups in favour of abortion rights in Mexico is incompatible with the Church’s defence of the right to life from conception to natural death and the mission of Development and Peace, and in order to remove any doubt about this commitment, the speaking engagements of Fr. Arriaga have been cancelled.”

This is exactly what LifeSiteNews claimed in 2009 & the original report issued by the CCCB denied. It will be interesting to see what the D+P response will be to this action by Archbishop Prendergast that eshonorates LSN as well as proves that they aided & abetted in a cover up of the truth in the 1st place. I won't be holding my breath waiting for them to admit the truth. In fact I fully expect them to quietly drop their this group & not say a word publicly unless forced to.

I 1st heard about Fr. Arriaga's appearances in the Ottawa area a couple weeks ago when TH2 mentioned it in a comment on my post about Archbishop Prendergast not letting graphic images of abortions on some signs keep him from taking participating in the 2011 March for Life. This was in contrast to the Alberta Bishops who used the signs as a copout to justify their backing out.

At the time I said a split may be developing in the CCCB. It looks like the split may have gotten just a tad bit wider. & while it still isn't much, it is a small step in the right direction. A very small step, but a step none the less. So now, will the split grow or will this be the end of it leaving things virtually unchanged with the CCCB until Cardinal Oullet helps the Pope to appoint some better Bishops. TH2, any thoughts? (Here or on your blog)

Sources: BREAKING: Ottawa Archbishop: D&P partner acts against ‘right to life,’ speaker cancelled In the end, facts win over statements of denial