Bernardin advocates 'new spirit' toward poor

National Catholic Reporter, Sept 8, 1995 by Robert McClory

CHICAGO - Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Campaign for Human Development, Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin called for "a new spirit" in the church and nation "that rejects vicious rhetoric and the push for punitive measures" in discussions o welfare reform.

In his first public address since undergoing extensive cancer surgery in mid-June, Bernardin was given two standing ovations from the 2,100 attending the affair, Aug. 25-28, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. He looked thin but delivered the address with energy and conviction.

"Unfortunately, the debate about such reform seems to spring not so much from an authentic concern for the poor as from pragmatic concerns about the federal budget deficit and taxpayers' pocketbooks. Saving money in the immediate future should not be the only criterion" for reform, he said, "because short-term savings lay the groundwork for greater difficulties and costs.

"Reforms that effectively punish the innocent children of unwed teenage mothers, wittingly or unwittingly promote abortion, or that burden states to do more with less resources are not the answer." Bernardin said.

The cardinal praised CHD as "an unusual combination of religious commitment, street-smart politics, commitment to structural change and commitment to the development of the poor."

During its 25 years, the campaign has funneled almost $2.50 million to some 230 community-controlled, self-help organizations. Despite these successes, Bernardin noted, "poverty is more entrenched today than ever before in our nation's history" with "an increased concentration of wealth and political power alongside a growing feeling of powerlessness among citizens."

The CHD gathering was a veritable rainbow of black, white, brown and yellow faces from all over the country, representing organization that have received grants, organizers, coordinators and supporters. CHD in many cases supplied the seed money to fledgling groups that have since had a profound impact on the nation. Some have been instrumental in passing legislation on such issues as redlining of neighborhoods, fair housing enforcement, tax reform, child support, migrant worker needs and treatment of brown lung disease.

CHD is today among the nation's largest private funders of programs that empower the poor.

Jesuit Fr. Joseph Hacala, Washington-based executive director of CHD, said the aim is not only to help the poor help themselves but to educate Catholics about their church's social teaching. "To do anything in the long-term about domestic poverty," he said, "there has to be an education component."

CHD's roots go back to an urban task force approved by the U.S. bishops in the 1960s, which numbered among its members labor advocates Msgr. George Higgins and Msgr. Geno Baroni, both of Washington, and Msgr. John Egan of Chicago. The conviction developed in the group that the church needed direct involvement m the ongoing War on Poverty, and the concept of a campaign was presented in 1969 at the bishops' meeting. Approval was immediate and generally enthusiastic.

The first national director, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Dempsey of Chicago, a man with long experience in ghetto communities and a personal commitment to the poor, embarked on an 11-city tour to promote the idea and encourage Catholic participation. The first collection in 1970 raised $8.4 million, the largest amount ever contributed to a national Catholic collection at that time More than 3,000 applications for grants arrived that first year and requests have continued unabated since.

Fortunately, the contributions have also continued at an average of about $10 million a year.

The variety of programs aid by CHD was apparent from a sampling of the identifying badges of those attending the celebration: Southwest Florida Farmworkers Program, Connecticut Coalition to Aid the Homeless, Committee for Boston Public Housing, Proyecto Esperanza, Communities Organized for Public Service, Action through Churches Together, Seniors with Power United for Rights.