On ice bucket challenge, New Orleans archbishop cautions Catholics about donations
By on August 21, 2014
The Archdiocese of New Orleans has released its own guidance on whether Roman Catholics should participate in the "ice bucket challenge" and donate to ALS disease research. They may do so, Archbishop Gregory Aymond said, in a way that's "morally acceptable" -- by not donating money to organizations that fund embryonic stem cell research.
The challenge requires an individual to endure having a bucket of cold water dumped on the head, to donate to an ALS charity and to challenge another to do the same via video. Videos of participants being doused have gone viral over social media.
But a popular charity of choice, the ALS Association, has been accused of funding research that uses destroyed human embryos, which many Catholics liken to abortion. In Cincinnati, Catholic school principals have been asked not to encourage student donations to that group.
In a recent email to New Orleans archdiocese priests, parishes, offices and ministries, Aymond asks participants to contribute to "morally acceptable" research. "There has been quite a stir regarding the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge," he wrote. "The research is done with embryonic stem cells, which is against our Pro-Life stance."
But, some charities, such as former Saints player Steve Gleason's Team Gleason, funds research that doesn't use these stem cells, Aymond said. Team Gleason's executive director, Paul Varisco, confirmed that Thursday.
Employees at two local Catholic schools, St. Louis King of France in Metairie and Stuart Hall in New Orleans, selected Gleason's group when they participated in the challenge.
Aymond also noted that many Catholics suffer with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which progressively affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. He mentioned Gleason and the Rev. Ray Fitzgerald, former president of Jesuit High School. "Please join me in prayer for all those who suffer from this disease and for their families," he said.
Some of Team Gleason's chief initiatives have been raising money for assistive technology to help those diagnosed with ALS communicate and raising public awareness about the disease. The ALS Association is listed among more than 40 partners on Team Gleason's website.
Varisco said the partnership is not financial; rather, "it's one of support to each other." ALS holds an annual Walk to Defeat ALS, for example, and Team Gleason promotes it, he said.
"Our missions are in some ways alike, but they differ in some ways," he said.
The challenge requires an individual to endure having a bucket of cold water dumped on the head, to donate to an ALS charity and to challenge another to do the same via video. Videos of participants being doused have gone viral over social media.
But a popular charity of choice, the ALS Association, has been accused of funding research that uses destroyed human embryos, which many Catholics liken to abortion. In Cincinnati, Catholic school principals have been asked not to encourage student donations to that group.
In a recent email to New Orleans archdiocese priests, parishes, offices and ministries, Aymond asks participants to contribute to "morally acceptable" research. "There has been quite a stir regarding the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge," he wrote. "The research is done with embryonic stem cells, which is against our Pro-Life stance."
But, some charities, such as former Saints player Steve Gleason's Team Gleason, funds research that doesn't use these stem cells, Aymond said. Team Gleason's executive director, Paul Varisco, confirmed that Thursday.
Employees at two local Catholic schools, St. Louis King of France in Metairie and Stuart Hall in New Orleans, selected Gleason's group when they participated in the challenge.
Aymond also noted that many Catholics suffer with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which progressively affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. He mentioned Gleason and the Rev. Ray Fitzgerald, former president of Jesuit High School. "Please join me in prayer for all those who suffer from this disease and for their families," he said.
Some of Team Gleason's chief initiatives have been raising money for assistive technology to help those diagnosed with ALS communicate and raising public awareness about the disease. The ALS Association is listed among more than 40 partners on Team Gleason's website.
Varisco said the partnership is not financial; rather, "it's one of support to each other." ALS holds an annual Walk to Defeat ALS, for example, and Team Gleason promotes it, he said.
"Our missions are in some ways alike, but they differ in some ways," he said.
