Michael Brooks
The March of Dimes is a charitable organization that was founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 to combat polio. The organization has since expanded its mission to include improving the health of mothers and babies through medical research, education, community programs, government advocacy, and support services. While the March of Dimes has received support from some Catholic individuals and organizations, it has also faced criticism and boycott campaigns from Catholic pro-life groups. These groups have accused the March of Dimes of supporting eugenics and abortion, which are contrary to Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church's position on the March of Dimes is that Catholics are not obliged to contribute to the organization, but those who wish to do so can make their own decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. |
| In 1976, it became known as the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and in 2007, its formal name became the March of Dimes Foundation. | |
| The organization has a history of commitment to eugenics and has been criticized for its involvement in abortion-related activities. | |
| Activities | The March of Dimes improves the health of mothers and babies through medical research, education, community programs, government advocacy, and support services. |
| They provide resources on baby health, pregnancy, preconception, and new motherhood, and support families affected by prematurity, birth defects, and other infant health problems. | |
| The March of Dimes also engages in fundraising activities, such as the March for Babies (previously WalkAmerica), which is their largest annual fundraiser. | |
| Catholic Church's Position | The Catholic Church does not officially support the March of Dimes due to its involvement in abortion-related activities and commitment to eugenics, which goes against the Church's teachings. |
| While Catholics are not obliged to contribute to the March of Dimes, individual Catholics may choose to do so if they believe it is aligned with their conscience. | |
| Alternatives | The Michael Fund has been presented as a pro-life alternative to the March of Dimes, supported by Catholic organizations like the Knights of Columbus and parents with children with Down syndrome. |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's position on the March of Dimes
The Catholic Church's primary concern regarding the MOD revolves around its stance on abortion and prenatal diagnosis techniques. In the early 1970s, the Pro-Life Movement launched a boycott of the MOD, alleging that it had shifted its focus from treating birth defects to eliminating pre-born children with defects through abortion. The MOD's support for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling was seen as encouraging eugenics, a practice associated with Nazi Germany. The Church opposes the use of contraceptive birth control devices and abortifacients, and its adherents advocate for the protection of pre-born children.
Cardinal John Cody of Chicago, speaking on behalf of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, clarified that Catholics are not obliged to contribute to the MOD financially or otherwise. However, those who choose to support the MOD can do so in good conscience. This stance appears to reflect a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding the issue.
Despite the boycott and criticism, some members of the Catholic Church continue to support the MOD. The Bishops' Pro-Life Secretariat, led by Gail Quinn, has maintained a pro-MOD position. Additionally, the MOD's fundraising efforts have successfully engaged Catholic dioceses and volunteers in the past, indicating a level of support and participation from within the Catholic community.
The Church has offered alternative organizations for those wishing to support pro-life causes, such as the Michael Fund. The Michael Fund was created in 1978 and has been primarily supported by the Pro-Life Movement, Catholic organizations, and parents of children with Down syndrome. It provides a pro-life alternative to the MOD for those who wish to promote and support anti-abortion causes.
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The Pro-Life Movement's boycott of the March of Dimes
The Pro-Life Movement launched its boycott of the March of Dimes (MOD) in the early 1970s. The movement was initiated by national pro-life groups, including the U.S. Coalition for Life, in response to MOD's "Screening to Kill program" or "Search and Destroy" operations. This program involved the creation of "genetic hygiene" or "genetic counselling" centres at major medical institutions, where pregnant women considered to be at risk for genetic disorders could undergo prenatal diagnosis and abort suspected "defective" fetuses.
The Catholic Church, particularly the American Church, had historically close ties with the MOD, which worked to eradicate polio. However, when the MOD shifted its focus to birth defects prevention in the late 1950s, it sparked controversy within the Catholic community. While some Catholics supported the boycott, others were taken aback by the sudden shift in stance. Cardinal John Cody of Chicago, speaking on behalf of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, clarified that Catholics were not obliged to contribute to the MOD, but those who wished to do so could make their own decision.
The Pro-Life Movement's boycott of the MOD is based on several objections to the organization's practices and policies. Firstly, the MOD has been accused of promoting eugenics and supporting procedures that allow and encourage eugenics. This includes their emphasis on prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, with abortion often presented as the solution. Secondly, the MOD has been criticized for its association with the abortion industry and its support for federally funded embryo-destructive stem cell research. The MOD has also been accused of dishonesty, ignoring the connection between prior abortions and premature births, and downplaying the risks associated with abortion procedures.
The boycott has been ongoing for over 25 years, with pro-life advocates encouraging others to join the cause. They suggest various actions, such as contacting bishops, local pastors, and Catholic organizations to raise awareness about the boycott and the alternative of supporting organizations like the Michael Fund, which aligns with pro-life values.
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The March of Dimes' funding of controversial research
The March of Dimes is an 80-year-old nonprofit organisation that has funded studies on premature birth, infant mortality, and birth defects. However, the group has been criticised for its controversial funding decisions and lack of transparency.
In 2013, the March of Dimes Foundation's IRS Form 990 revealed that the organisation had given a $24,360 grant to the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood for "community services". This sparked controversy, as many pro-life groups, including Catholics, have called for a boycott of the March of Dimes due to its support for abortion rights and its history of commitment to eugenics. The Catholic Church, for example, opposes the development of "contraceptive" birth control devices and drugs, especially if they act as abortifacients or sterilising agents. In the early 1970s, the March of Dimes awarded grants to researchers like Dr John F.S. Crocker and Dr Peter Adams, who used human embryos and fetuses from abortions in their experiments.
In addition to the ethical concerns surrounding its funding choices, the March of Dimes has also faced criticism for its opaque funding processes and sudden termination of research grants. In 2022, the organisation abruptly cut short the grants of 37 out of 42 recipients of its individual investigator awards, citing financial struggles and a need to modernise its operations. The decision left many researchers midway through their grant cycles, facing financial difficulties and uncertainty.
The March of Dimes has defended its actions by stating that the funding cuts were necessary to reduce its annual research budget and focus its resources on specific programs targeting preterm birth rates. However, the organisation's financial struggles have also been attributed to declining donations and competition from similar events.
Despite the controversy and criticism, some Catholic groups, such as the Bishops' Pro-Life Secretariat, have maintained their support for the March of Dimes. This has created a divide within the Catholic community, with some calling for a boycott and alternative funding options, such as the Michael Fund, to be supported instead.
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The March of Dimes' history of commitment to eugenics
The March of Dimes was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat polio. The name "March of Dimes" was coined by Eddie Cantor, a Tammany Hall Democratic fund-raiser, as a pun on the newsreel series "The March of Time". The catchy name helped the foundation gain popularity and funding.
However, over the years, the March of Dimes has been accused of supporting eugenics and having an anti-life agenda. The earliest charges against the organization by national pro-life groups, including the U.S. Coalition for Life, claimed that since 1958, the March of Dimes had turned its attack on birth defects into a national campaign to eliminate pre-born children with these defects. The organization began its "Screening to Kill program" or "Search and Destroy" operations by creating "genetic hygiene" or "genetic counseling" centers at major medical institutions. Here, pregnant women at risk for genetic disorders such as Down syndrome could undergo prenatal diagnosis and abort any suspected "defective" fetuses. Such eugenics-based programs assumed the existence of liberal abortion laws permitting abortion into the second and third trimesters.
The Catholic Church, in particular, has had a contentious relationship with the March of Dimes due to its opposition to abortion and contraceptive birth control. In the early 1970s, the March of Dimes awarded grants to researchers conducting studies using human embryos and fetuses from abortions, which the Church considers immoral. As a result, the Pro-Life Movement within the Catholic Church launched a boycott of the March of Dimes, and individuals like Professor Jerome Lejeune, an ardent foe of the organization, spoke out against its eugenics policies.
Despite the criticism and attempts to distance themselves from the March of Dimes, some American bishops and Catholic organizations continued to support the organization. However, the history of the March of Dimes is indeed riddled with a commitment to eugenics, and its shift in focus over the years from polio to birth defects and now to maternal and infant health has been scrutinized.
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The March of Dimes' stance on abortion
The March of Dimes (MOD) was founded in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. In 1976, it became the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and in 2007, the March of Dimes Foundation.
The Catholic Church has had a fraught relationship with the MOD, owing to the latter's stance on abortion. While the MOD does not publicly support abortion, its neutral stance on the issue has been interpreted as implicit acceptance. This, along with its associations with abortionists and the abortion industry, has led to boycotts by pro-life groups, including the U.S. Coalition for Life.
The Catholic Church opposes the use of contraceptive birth control devices and drugs, especially those with abortifacient or sterilizing effects. The Church also believes in the sanctity of pre-born children, and opposes research that utilizes their body parts. However, the MOD has funded research that involves human embryos and fetal tissue from abortions, which goes against the Church's teachings.
Pro-life advocates within the Catholic Church have actively campaigned against the MOD, urging bishops and pastors to support a boycott. They have promoted alternative organizations like the Michael Fund, which aligns with the Church's pro-life stance.
Despite the boycott, some Catholic dioceses and individuals continue to support the MOD. Cardinal John Cody of Chicago stated that Catholics are not obliged to contribute to the MOD, but those who wish to do so can act according to their conscience.
The MOD's history of supporting eugenics and its associations with organizations like Planned Parenthood have also been criticized by Catholics and pro-life groups. The MOD's emphasis on prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, which can lead to abortion, and its support for embryo-destructive research, further contribute to the concerns of Catholics and pro-life advocates.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are not obliged to contribute time or money to the March of Dimes (MOD). However, any Catholic who wishes to do so may do it in good conscience. The MOD has been criticised for its commitment to eugenics and support of abortion services.
The March of Dimes, founded in 1938, is an organisation that improves the health of mothers and babies through five programming areas: medical research, education of pregnant women, community programs, government advocacy, and support of pregnant women and mothers.
The Michael Fund is a pro-life alternative to the March of Dimes. It has been supported by Catholic organisations like the Knights of Columbus and parents with children who have Down syndrome.
