Editor’s note: This letter was sent to Cardinal George. Your Eminence, thank you for your continued support for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and your ongoing and staunch defense of powerless and poor people in Chicago and our country. The Archdiocese of Chicago has been both a tremendous supporter and grateful beneficiary of CCHD since its beginning. Countless lives have been impacted and enhanced because of the support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Archdiocese of Chicago. The campaign’s mission to address the root causes of poverty in America through the promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations is important now more than ever. CCHD funds initiatives that help poor and vulnerable people defend their dignity and make changes to solve local problems and improve their neighborhoods and communities. Additionally, the church has a long history of support for immigrants and leads efforts towards comprehensive immigration reform. As a work of mercy of the Catholic Church, CCHD is fully committed to promoting the fullness of the church’s social and moral teaching. CCHD will not support any activity which undermines the church’s integral and prophetic witness to human dignity, the sacredness of life and the fundamental importance of marriage and family in society. In this light, all grant applications are carefully screened and funds are provided only to projects with objectives and actions that are fully in accord with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. To be considered for CCHD funding, applicants are asked to specify that their organization is not involved in activities contrary to Catholic teaching. Specifically, the applications, grant contracts and website state: “Organizations that receive CCHD funds must not participate in or promote activities that contradict the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church. Organizations that support or promote, for example, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, racism, war, discrimination, or same-sex marriage are not eligible for CCHD funding. Do the activities of your organization conform to the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church?” Additionally, grants are only considered with the local diocesan bishop’s explicit and formal endorsement. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is grateful for the years of your faithful support and solidarity with poor and vulnerable people in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fraternally Yours in Christ, Most Rev. Stephen E. Blaire Diocese of Stockton Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development