Calgary teachers' AIDS fundraiser halted after bishop's disapproval

An annual fundraiser held by local Catholic teachers in support of an international AIDS charity is on hold after Calgary's Catholic bishop objected to its promotion of birth control.

For the last five years, the Calgary Catholic Teachers' Association has held a fundraiser during Lent for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which supports women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Africa, and also runs campaigns to prevent the deadly disease.

'I think the bishop is making a mistake in allowing doctrinal dogma to overtake common sense.' Stephen Lewis

Last year, teachers raised $45,000 in personal and matching donations, said David Cracknell, head of the association.

But a parishioner went to Bishop Fred Henry with concerns about the fundraising for the group, which promotes the use of condoms as part of AIDS prevention campaign.

"To my surprise there were issues about Stephen Lewis and some of his functions. That was something that the local was not aware of," said Cracknell.

He met with the bishop, who then sent a letter to the teachers' association encouraging them to raise money for other groups in Africa that share Catholic values.

Abstinence also promoted by foundation

Lewis, a Canadian and a former special envoy for the United Nations, said condom use is only one part of his foundation's strategy to combat AIDS.

He said his group also promotes abstinence and fidelity two things that are in line with the beliefs of the Catholic church.

"I think the bishop is making a mistake in allowing doctrinal dogma to overtake common sense,"Lewis said Friday.

"I don't want to get into a stormy brew with the bishop. I just think that's it not really terribly fair. It is in a sense a violation of human rights for the bishop to say to Catholic teachers, you cannot support an organization you want to support."

Cracknell said the issue has divided the teachers' union: "It's very difficult for teachers to even consider defying the bishop because he provides the moral guidance for us, along with, of course ultimately, the Pope. However, teachers are very committed to the Stephen Lewis Foundation and very committed to helping around the world as a social-justice type of project."

Cracknell said the future of the fundraiser will be put to a vote by the teachers.

In 2006, Calgary's Catholic schools stopped raising funds through bingo and casinos after Henry raised concerns over the morality of spending gambling revenues on school activities.