D&P email to supporters
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 10:09 PM
Subject: Point of information on accusations by Lifesite
From: Serge Langlois, Executive Director for Development & Peace
Point of information on accusations
As some of you might have heard, Development and Peace is being accused of funding pro-abortion groups in various
countries.
It is important in the light of this accusation to reiterate that Development and Peace does not support in any direct or
indirect manner programs related to abortion. Our actions are guided by the teachings of our Catholic faith and we have
abided by these principles for the past 50 years. This criticism is unsubstantiated.
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Development and Peace is loyal to its mission of defending life, human dignity, and integral human
development, as well as our call for justice for the most vulnerable members of our human family.

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The groups we partner with belong to larger networks so that they can advance their own activities in common
struggles. Working in networks and alliances is a fundamental way of operating nowadays, and we encourage our
partners to do so as well, but it is the nature of working in networks and alliances is such that one cannot always
guarantee who else is a member or what their interests are.  This is why we are very clear in our expectations and
in the limits associated with our working alongside organizations with different mandates.

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This is why we have adopted a set of key principles, in collaboration with the Bishops of Canada, and we
adhere to these principles in all of our actions and interactions with partners in Canada and overseas, ensuring that
none of our actions or the actions we support through our partners violate Catholic values. We will not, however,
be held accountable for the actions of other organizations that we do not support nor work with.  This approach is
accepted and supported by the Bishops of Canada.
o We prioritize open and constructive dialogue with our bishops across Canada and with the Canadian
Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) through our Liaison Committee, which meets several times a
year.
o In fact, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has expressed his support for our
annual fundraising Share Lent campaign (see his mini-mag message).

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All of our partners have undergone due-diligence processes and regular assessments.

 
Because we are very clear about our values and principles when developing partnerships, we will continue to stand by the
partners  with whom we have a shared vision, and ensure they have the necessary support and tools to continue our
common struggle to put an end to global poverty and injustices.
 
As you know, we are celebrating 50 years of existence this year and are putting forward stories and examples of the work
we have carried out and what we have accomplished over the years to fight against poverty, suffering, and injustice around
the world. Our Share Lent campaign is born of a deep desire to assert the humanity and dignity that define us all. Our
actions are an expression of solidarity with those who advocate a more egalitarian and inclusive society, in which women
will be able to participate, hand in hand with men, in building tomorrow’s world.
 
We work with a variety of groups in many countries and constantly monitor our work and our impact around the world,
staying true to our mission and values. We do not stray from who we are, or why we were founded. Our actions are firmly
guided by the teachings of the Gospel and our Catholic faith; they are the foundation upon which Development and Peace
was built. We fight for peace, for love, for justice, for dignity, and for life in all we do.