Canada: 'Development and Peace' Funding in Jeopardy

Be assured I will not allow any money raised in the Diocese of Peterborough to be used for pro-abortion activities or organizations.

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario (LifeSiteNews.com) - Peterborough Bishop Nicola De Angelis has issued a letter to all pastors and parishioners in the diocese calling for a detailed investigation into the LifeSiteNews.com revelations that Development & Peace (D&P) has funded groups involved in abortion advocacy in Mexico.

"Development & Peace has not as yet received its funding from us for 2009," said the Bishop. "Be assured I will not allow any money raised in the Diocese of Peterborough to be used for pro-abortion activities or organizations."

The Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Collins took a similar stand last week.

D&P, the official international development organization of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, first reacted to the LifeSiteNews.com revelations by calling the LSN reports "dangerously irresponsible and slanderous." However, since LSN's original report much confirming information has been discovered and published corroborating the original claims.

Moreover, LSN has learned of groups involved in abortion advocacy throughout Latin America and Africa that are receiving D&P support, which will be revealed in the coming days.

Bishop De Angelis adds: "On the example of other Dioceses, we have contacted Development & Peace to express our deep concerns and have asked that they address this extremely serious matter immediately."

The Bishop notes that, "A decision with respect to what is to be done in regards to the Development & Peace collection will be communicated to the parishes of the Diocese prior to the scheduled collection date of March 28th & 29th."

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