Editor's Desk: Faulty Report

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Editor
(From the issue of 12/09/04)

Pro-family groups are outraged at the report released last week by California Congressman Henry Waxman, which attacked abstinence-until-marriage education programs. Waxman’s report was the subject of a recent Washington Post story. It alleges that abstinence programs — which receive $170 million in federal support from the Bush administration — mislead teens about the scientific realities of sex. "The report lacks credibility because it was researched and distributed by Waxman’s own staff," said Connie Mackey, vice president of government affairs for the Family Research Council. "The report has no scientific background in its research; its not peer reviewed."

Mackey said the report was "cooked up and served" by Waxman’s staff and is now being devoured by the national media. She said if Waxman has doubts about the success of abstinence programs, he should call for a bi-partisan study rather than release a biased report written by his own staff.

"Waxman’s agenda comes through loud and clear on every page of his latest attempt to discredit the important work being done in our nation’s schools to protect teens from the physical and emotional consequences of sex outside of marriage," said Linda Klepacki, Focus on the Family’s sexual health analyst. "As has become his pattern, he rails against those he accuses of ‘politicizing’ science, while doing the exact same thing himself."

Klepacki said a favorite strategy of people like Waxman is to charge that abstinence educators present subjective opinions as scientific fact. "The truth of the matter is, abstinence works every time in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease," she said. "That’s not a political statement, or a creative interpretation of scientific evidence. It’s an absolutely indisputable fact."

Help the Vulnerable

Charitable agencies have felt the pinch of a tighter economy and some bad publicity in recent years. They’ve struggled to maintain the donation levels they need to keep programs afloat. Catholic Charities in the Arlington Diocese is no exception.

The annual Christmas Collection, scheduled to be taken at all parishes the weekend of Dec. 11-12, plays a vital role in the local agency’s overall financial budget. Staff members visited parishes last weekend to promote the visibility of the collection. Steve Luteran, executive director, spoke at all the Masses at St. Philip Church in Falls Church. His message was clear. Without support from local Catholics, programs such as Christ House, St. Martin de Porres Senior Center, Children’s Services and Emergency Assistance will suffer.

Increased housing and heating costs in Northern Virginia put low income residents in a precarious position. The loss of a job, even for a few weeks, takes food off the table and heat from the homes.

"In the future, it is anticipated that there will be even greater need for emergency assistance, family counseling, aid to the elderly, crisis pregnancy counseling, adoption assistance, immigrant assistance, prison ministry, and aid to the disabled," wrote Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde (see letter on page two in this week’s issue). "Your support is vital if we are to continue to help the poor and vulnerable in our diocese."

Catholic Charities last year assisted 30,000 people. That’s an average of 82 per day or more than three per hour. Those who have contributed to the collection in the past are asked to consider increasing their donation by $5 or $10. That’s one visit to Starbucks or the cost of one movie ticket. For those who haven’t been able to help in past years, please consider making a sacrifice this year. Every dollar counts. — M.F.F.

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