A quiet crisis is unfolding within the Catholic Church in America, masked by a surge in federal funding and a dramatic shift in priorities. Recent data reveals a startling exodus from the faith, with 8.4 individuals leaving for every one new member welcomed into the Church.
This decline coincides with a significant increase in federal grants awarded to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), raising questions about where the Church’s focus truly lies. A troubling pattern emerges when examining the growth of these grants alongside the dwindling number of practicing Catholics.
The influx of federal money appears directly linked to large-scale resettlement programs, particularly those undertaken by Catholic Charities. During a period of increased immigration, Catholic Charities experienced a substantial revenue boost, capitalizing on a wave of arrivals, many of whom lacked thorough vetting.
In Oklahoma City, Catholic Charities boasted of resettling more Afghans than any other branch nationwide, framing their efforts in terms of compassion and Christian duty. However, a closer look reveals a different story – one of a rapidly expanding, federally funded operation.
Before the Afghan airlift, the organization resettled a modest 21 individuals in a year. Within six months of the airlift, that number skyrocketed to 1,800. This dramatic increase wasn’t driven by newfound charity, but by the promise of substantial federal payments for each arrival – payments covering housing, food, legal services, and more.
Catholic Charities openly acknowledged treating the situation “like a disaster response,” yet the impact wasn’t felt equally. While Afghan arrivals received extensive support, homeless Americans and struggling families within Oklahoma received nothing. The organization didn’t expand its services to aid its existing community; it scaled a federally funded migration program.
The resettlement efforts weren’t simply a matter of providing aid. Catholic Charities partnered with a broad coalition of groups – Muslim organizations, secular networks, Jewish organizations, and even Evangelical churches – creating a powerful, interfaith machine focused on importing migrants, often without proper vetting or community consent.
This influx of unvetted individuals reshaped communities, bypassing local input and placing a strain on already overburdened social systems. In some instances, newly arrived immigrants were provided with better housing than American citizens and veterans, a disparity that raises serious ethical concerns.
The situation highlights a disturbing trend: a prioritization of federal funding over the needs of the existing community and a potential compromise of core Church teachings. The pursuit of these funds appears to have overshadowed the spiritual well-being of the faithful and the welfare of American citizens.
The question remains: is this a matter of genuine humanitarian aid, or a profitable business operation cloaked in religious branding? As the Catholic Church grapples with declining membership and shifting priorities, the answer may hold the key to its future in America.
