Media CenterExpression of Support for CRS from Bishop Pates of Des Moines

Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, who also serves as the chair of USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace, recently wrote to CRS President & CEO Carolyn Y. Woo expressing his support for the work of CRS. He noted that in two recent meetings, African and Latin American bishops had only praise for CRS' work. He gave us permission to post his text to Dr. Woo.

Dear Carolyn,

I was deeply saddened to receive your email of July 28th and to learn of the totally false and insidious attacks that are being leveled at CRS especially with regard to the programs in Guinea and Madagascar.

In July, I spent a week at the SECOM meeting in Kinshasa where bishops from all African countries but two participated. To a person, they were laudatory of the mission and ministry of CRS. As a matter of fact, their admiration for CRS was usually the first subject in our conversations.

Also, I spent two days at the CELAM Conference following the Pope’s visit to Rio de Janeiro. Again the representative Latin American Bishops sang only praises of CRS.

Please know of my unwavering support for you and my prayer for the perpetrators of these scurrilous attacks.

My prayers, naturally, are with you and Bishop Kicanas during these times of tension.

In the Lord of the Poor,
Bishop Pates