MICHIGAN
The Catholic Diocese of Lansing is discouraging members from participating in the annual Lansing CROP Walk tomorrow because a portion of funds raised will be contributed to the purchase and distribution of contraceptives around the globe.
The CROP Walk, an acronym for the Christian Rural Overseas Program, is a national fundraiser that raises funds to eliminate hunger in about 80 countries around the world.
Some of the funds go to hunger agencies in the city in which it is being held, and several church groups and organizations participate in the walks.
Director of communications for the Lansing diocese, Michael Diebold, said the diocese withdrew support for the walk after it became aware of how the walk's partner organization, Church World Service, or CWS, will be using the funds.
"It was the feeling of the diocese that we didn't want to be a part of an organization that participated in beliefs contrary to ours," Diebold said.
Diebold said they encouraged members to donate to area charities such as local soup kitchens, rather than to the walk.
In Michigan, 150 fundraising walks are organized each year, and the one planned for tomorrow will mark the 29th year Lansing has participated, said Bob Barnhart, associate director of the Michigan CWS/CROP Regional Office.
Barnhart said the organization was aware that the Lansing diocese withdrew support for the event.
He said CWS, which is just one of the event's partner organizations, does provide contraceptives, but noted that 25 percent of all funds collected go to Lansing charities.
