Calgary AIDS fundraiser stopped because bishop disapproves

A fundraiser by the Calgary Catholic Teachers' Association to help the anti AIDS campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation was stopped by a Catholic bishop because the Foundation promotes the use of condoms.

The Calgary Catholic Teacher's Association has been holding a fundraiser to help the foundation for the last five years. The foundation supports children and women who have to live with HIV/AIDS in Africa. They also campaign to prevent this disease. According to the CBC, the teachers have now been "encouraged" to stop fundraising for the foundation by Bishop Fred Henry, because a parishioner had concerns that the foundation, among other things, promotes the use of condoms. In a letter, the bishop has encouraged the teachers to support other organizations in Africa that share Catholic values. Stephen Lewis isn't happy with the situation. He thinks that the bishop is making a mistake in allowing doctrinal dogma to overtake common sense. The teachers are divided. David Cracknell, the head of the organization, says that it is hard for them to ignore the bishop's wishes since he provides moral guidance to them, along with, ultimately, the Pope. They will put the future of the fundraiser to a vote.