PrintMarch 24, 2008
Pastor Wright's Church and President Bush's program (updated)
It looks as though Trinity United Church of Christ signed up for President Bush's Faith-based Community Initiatives Program. From the HHS website:
Update -- Ed Lasky writes:Under its Minority Community Health Coalition Demonstration Grant Program for HIV/AIDS, HHS' Office of Minority Health has made grants to faith-based organizations participating in the Impacto Latino Coalition Project. This project addresses the need for effective prevention programming to change community norms and increase community support for behaviors known to reduce the risk of HIV infection among Latino New Yorkers. The Latino Commission on AIDS, VIP Community Services and five churches are joining together as a coalition to address HIV/AIDS in the Latino community.
The grant program has also provided funds to the South Side HIV/AIDS Coalition in Chicago, a multi-agency group including Trinity United Church of Christ, Provident Hospital of Cook County and the Alliance for Community Empowerment, to provide culturally sensitive and responsive HIV/AIDS education and services to African-Americans.
The irony is palpable. Pastor Wright condemns the very same Federal government that gives his church money. One might also ask what this advocate for the poor is doing driving a Porsche-as has been reported in a recent New Yorker article about Michelle Obama? Money is fungible; money not spent on helping the poor can go towards salaries or perks, such as paying the salary of Pastor Wright's daughter. Pastor Wright placed her in charge of the Church's magazine, which recently gave a controversial award to Louis Farrakhan.
Hat tip: Boker Tov, Boulder
