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Diocese meeting, apology 'groundbreaking,' Komen director says Saturday, Mar 8, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A meeting with Catholic leaders in the state and receiving an apology from them for urging parishes and Catholic schools not to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure fundraising is "groundbreaking" and could have national implications, the executive director of the nonprofit said Friday. Last month, Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert contended many of the national breast cancer awareness organization's state affiliates contribute some of the money they raise to Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading provider of abortions. In a letter to parishes and Catholic schools, he said Susan G. Komen foundation also supports embryonic stem-cell research and refuses to acknowledge there is a link between abortions and breast cancer. Thursday, Hebert issued an apology after a meeting with foundation officials and described the nonprofit's work as "exceptional." "The position statement issued on Feb. 7 was based upon unintentional error," Hebert said in a statement released by the diocese. "To let the statement stand would be an act of injustice. With apologies to Komen, to those fighting breast cancer and to the survivors, to the Catholic clergy and faithful who were embarrassed by this mistaken policy, I rescind the position in its entirety." Sherrye McBryde, executive director of the Arkansas affiliate of Komen, said Friday she was pleased with both the meeting and Hebert's apology. She said the issue has risen elsewhere in the country. "This misinformation has not just been a part of this diocese," McBryde said. "It keeps popping up around the country, but this is the first time that a diocese has been willing to sit down with representatives from Komen and truly iron out the situation. "We think this is groundbreaking and hope it will have an impact across the country." She said at least five other Catholic Dioceses in the United States have urged parishes and Catholic schools to stop supporting Komen fundraising activities for the same reason. She said she hopes they can meet and put the concerns behind them, like was done in Arkansas. Susan G. Komen for the Cure holds two races in the state every year to raise money for breast cancer research. Alison Levin, executive director of the Ozark Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said Friday that she too was pleased with the meeting and apology and that the organization would continue to "work closely with Catholic charities ... helping deliver important breast health information and awareness services to population areas in need." She said the Ozark affiliate, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a race in April, has invested $4.4 million in Northwest Arkansas. The Arkansas affiliate, headquartered in Little Rock, has its annual race for the cure in October. Since it began 15 years ago, the non-profit has invested $7.5 million in breast health and breast cancer services around the states. In his letter of apology, Hebert said the Arkansas affiliates of Komen and the national organization do not give grants to Planned Parenthood. He said a small number of affiliates do give some grants directly to Planned Parenthood for breast examinations, treatment and education. |
