TOLEDO – The Catholic Diocese of Toledo has attracted national attention because of its recent stand
regarding donations to the popular Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The breast cancer group issued a public statement on Thursday in defense of its policies and practices
praising its relationship with the Catholic hospitals, and denying its involvement with some of the
practices called into question by the diocese.
The issues surfaced following a letter issued by Bishop Leonard Blair, the bishop of the Toledo Diocese,
on July 5 regarding fundraising for the Komen Foundation.
His letter, in part, read, "For some time, moral questions have been raised from various quarters
about the research funded by the Komen Foundation. The Bishops of Ohio have discussed this and have
looked into the matter.
As best we can determine, at present the Komen Foundation does not fund cancer research that employs
embryonic stem cells. However, their policy does not exclude that possibility. They are open to
embryonic stem cell research, and may very well fund such research in the future. They are also
contributors to Planned Parenthood, which, though it may claim to provide needed medical services to
poor women, is also the largest provider of abortions in our country."
Continuing Blair’s letter stated, "In order to avoid even the possibility of cooperation in morally
unacceptable activities, the other Bishops and I believe that it would be wise to find alternatives to
Komen for Catholic fundraising efforts."
The bishop then asked for all funding directed for breast cancer be channeled away from Komen.
"For that reason, I am directing that in the fight against breast cancer, fundraising carried out
under Catholic auspices, including our schools, should be channeled to our locally known Mercy Cancer
Centers instead of Komen," Blair wrote.
Following media coverage and criticism of the letter, the diocese released a follow-up statement this
week, claiming the bishop neither condemned censured nor banned donations to the Komen Foundation.
"Individual Catholics who want to contribute to Komen locally can continue to do so on the basis of
Komen’s assurance that no local funds go to Planned Parenthood or to embryonic stem cell research.
However, there are some who in good faith continue to have misgivings about Komen’s association with
Planned Parenthood and its openness to embryonic stem cell research," stated the release.
The release then repeated the request for funding, notably donations raised under Catholic auspices to
fight breast cancer, be given to Mercy Cancer Centers
In its statement regarding the position of Blair and the other bishops, the Komen statement read, in
part, "In our 29 years, Komen for the Cure has never funded embryonic stem cell research. We remain
focused on our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever through our research program and
through our Affiliate partnerships."
The breast cancer research group, like Blair, praised the work done in local Catholic hospitals.
"The Northwest Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure appreciates the positive partnership
that it has had with various Catholic hospitals here in the Northwest Ohio area. We’re pleased to share
that in the past five years, local Catholic hospitals have applied for and received more than $300,000
in Komen grants," according to the release.
Repeating, "We want to clarify that Susan G. Komen for the Cure has never funded abortion or
embryonic stem cell research. Further, no funds from the Northwest Ohio Affiliate have ever gone to
Planned Parenthood."