Recent revelations about the federal funding awarded to Catholic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) over the past four years have raised significant questions regarding the motivations behind the U.S. Catholic bishops’ public stances on political issues. An in-depth analysis of federal spending has revealed that the Biden administration granted Catholic NGOs nearly $2.9 billion in immigration-related funding, a figure more than three times higher than the funding awarded under the Trump administration’s first term.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and affiliated Catholic NGOs have long been active participants in resettling immigrants and refugees, advocating for policies aligned with Catholic social teaching. However, the sheer scale of financial support during the Biden administration has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially as these same bishops have largely refrained from addressing Biden’s anti-Catholic policies. Furthermore, despite Canon 915 of Catholic Church law—which states that Catholics “obstinately persisting in manifest grave sin” should not receive Holy Communion—many bishops have continued to welcome Biden to the Eucharist.
The analysis, conducted using data from USAspending.gov, reviewed immigration-related federal funding awarded to Catholic NGOs between 2009 and 2024. Researchers flagged organizations affiliated with the Catholic Church, analyzed the geographical distribution of funds across dioceses, and used data visualization tools like Tableau to present the findings. The results revealed striking disparities: Catholic NGOs received $2.9 billion in the past four years, compared to $5.2 billion over the previous 16 years combined. More than half of the funding awarded since 2009 occurred under the Biden administration, raising questions about the intersection of financial incentives and ecclesiastical advocacy.
The two largest recipients of these funds were Catholic Charities, which secured $2.6 billion, and the USCCB itself, which received nearly $1.6 billion. Geographically, the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., led the way with $1.6 billion, followed by the Diocese of Fort Worth with nearly $1 billion. Federal funding was primarily allocated through three key programs: Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs (41%), Refugee and Entrant Assistance Voluntary Agency Programs (18%), and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (12%).
Critics of this funding suggest it may explain the bishops’ public silence regarding President Biden’s policies and their criticism of former President Trump. Trump’s immigration policies, including reduced refugee admissions and stricter enforcement of immigration laws, jeopardized the federal funding streams that Catholic NGOs heavily rely upon. Meanwhile, Biden’s more lenient approach to immigration not only aligns with the USCCB’s advocacy but also ensures the continued flow of federal dollars to Catholic organizations.
Beyond the financial data, the study highlights the broader context of financial challenges facing the Church. Catholic dioceses have paid over $5 billion to settle sex-abuse scandal lawsuits, with additional millions spent on legal fees. This financial strain may contribute to the Church’s reliance on federal funding to sustain its operations and social programs, including those related to immigration.
The findings also spotlight inconsistencies in leadership messaging. For instance, Pope Francis has criticized strict immigration policies, such as Trump’s deportation plans, while simultaneously implementing measures to limit illegal entrants into Vatican City.
This financial and political entanglement raises critical questions about the motivations behind the bishops’ policy positions and public statements. While Catholic NGOs provide essential services to vulnerable populations, the Church’s reliance on government funding risks creating the appearance of compromised integrity. As the faithful consider these findings, it is essential to prioritize transparency, accountability, and adherence to core Catholic principles to navigate the challenges of serving both God and neighbor.
The corruption of the leaders of the Novus Ordo church which includes widespread sexual abuse, embezzlement, funding of abortion, supporting the sin of homosexuality, and using government funds to advance the destruction of the foundations of Christianity, should be a wake up call to faithful Catholics that these people cannot possibly be shepherds of Christ’s Church but wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Thank you for your comment, but you are bananas. St. John Paul II — the Great — and Benedict XVI supported it. Are you calling them wolves?
Look up information on Bella Dodd and you may better understand what happened.
Yup
widespread sexual abuse, embezzlement, funding of abortion, supporting the sin of homosexuality, and using government funds to advance the destruction of the foundations of Christianity
which assertion above is false ? I mean categorically false.
I am a Catholic, and The Church by no Means should be taking money from the Government to use for Catholic Charities. Donations are the only money to be used. The church and State are Not suppose to be separate. Bringing illegals into this Country against our laws is not Charity- it is breaking the Law. The Church is sinning by doing just that. Breaking the law is even a higher sin. Then appearing as a Non for Profit when getting Grant Money makes me think there is some manipulation of the books to get this Tax Exemption so the church does not have to pat Taxes or Real estate Taxes.
If the church goes against the law of the Country it should Loss all Exemptions for life and have to payback all taxes including Real Estate.
To many people have been hurt by these illegals and it is unconscionable that the church can not understand the severity of the issue.
Amen. This is exactly how I feel as well.
Amen
I think you meant to say the Church and State are supposed to be separate. That Bishop stood up there and showed exactly what she was all about, the money for sure. I found her to be so disgusting and thought the president and family should have stood up and left the church. They were shocked! This was not a good look for Catholics. But then they have condoned sexual assaults on children by priests so nothing they do surprises me.
There are no female Catholic Bishops? that was a Episcopal or Lutheran church’s bishop. but the Catholic church is still certainly walking in worldly desires as of late. Seems like when you start kicking Bishops out of the Church that tell the truth or try to steer people in the right direction like Bishop Strickland for instance . for taking a stand in the ” Truth “. than something is very sketchy about our Church leaders. Not all of them but a lot of them? Seems like things started going bad after pope John Paul II died in my eyes any way? I thought Benedict was Good , but his departure always seemed suspect to me? Like he was in the way of radical changes by Pope Francis? like the late Bishop Sheen said in the 1970’s the ” Smoke of Satan has Entered the Church.” You know its here! I love the Catholic Church, its the true Church tracable all the way back to St. Peter. ‘On this rock I will build my Church.’ Jesus doesn’t get it wrong… Man does.
I don’t like it but I’m 63 years Old and have watched it happen. Born and Raised Catholic. Pray for the Church and all the Christian Church’s because they are all unraveling before our eyes. Believe in the Traditional Catholic teachings if the Priest, Deacon,Bishop, Cardinal or Pope teaches differently the are leading the flock astray…Question it Gently, But Question it. Don’t be lead a stray by the corrupt shepherds, because they are in every Church..Pray Pray Pray.
The Church will stand until Jesus return. It won’t go away. But it will.be a rocky course, ask the Lord to help guide you and the Church.
Separation of Church and State is a foundation of this country. This cannot be tolerated. Nice to know that the Church doesn’t need my money since it has the government as a sponsor.
Catholic Charities has been used by the Biden administration to assist the flow of illegal immigration into the US. This organization’s leadership should be removed for such activity. They helped bring bad and dangerous people to the US. This liberal church could use an overhaul as well.
Enslaving our children $36 trillion in debt besides bringing in diseases and crime Very Sad
All these supposedly good Catholics who want to harm the weakest and the neediest just because they don’t have a piece of paper from a Government bureaucrat, and who call refugees and asylum seekers “law breakers” when they aren’t. They’re legal. And it is completely proper for the Government to help fund charitable works, and for the church to help the neediest.
And the Episcopal Bishop called for the Government to have mercy on those who afraid of being harmed. That’s all. If that offends you, why are you even pretending to be a Christian? If you oppose mercy, you oppose Jesus.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Does that offend you too? The Book of Micah says that the Lord REQUIRES that we do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Does that offend you too?
“Jesus, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
If you refuse to have mercy on others, why would you think God will have mercy on you – a sinner?
Carl,
All these supposedly good Catholics? Spoken like a true protestant.. I’m guessing.
Lets be truthful here. They entered the country illegally they broke the law when they did that.
Please Read 8 U.S. Code 1325. I love when people say they did not break any law…they did! The weakest didn’t have a problem hiking, swimming and running from law enforcement to get here? And that piece of paper your talking about comes in many forms, Passports, Green cards, or end result US Citizenship.
The Government can fund the illegals with out going through charity’s , they are hiding the money through the charity’s so tax payers lose track of money…they are buying the Catholic Church. You ever here of separation of church and state? One last thing, Maybe you need to read I Peter 2: 13-15& 17 NIV. Since I noticed you like to try and throw a scripture that might apply to your weak narrative. I’m pretty sure that the 8 million ” Illegals ” that streamed over the border during Joe Biden Regime, there’s a few bad apples in the bunch? If you disagree move to Chicago, New York City, Portland, or one of the other city’s with the Weakest or neediest law breakers in it causing kaos. The problem with Christians or Catholics as you like to separate the two? Is we stayed silent while this was going on when we should not have. P.S.little history lesson for you…Catholics were the Christians being eaten alive and persecuted during the Roman Empire. They are the first of what you segregate as Christians and Catholics. Hope to see you at mass.
Carl I so Agree with you. Gods message is one of love and mercy, they seem to have forgotten this.
There are no female Catholic Bishops? that was a Episcopal or Lutheran church’s bishop. but the Catholic church is still certainly walking in worldly desires as of late. Seems like when you start kicking Bishops out of the Church that tell the truth or try to steer people in the right direction like Bishop Strickland for instance . for taking a stand in the ” Truth “. than something is very sketchy about our Church leaders. Not all of them but a lot of them? Seems like things started going bad after pope John Paul II died in my eyes any way? I thought Benedict was Good , but his departure always seemed suspect to me? Like he was in the way of radical changes by Pope Francis? like the late Bishop Sheen said in the 1970’s the ” Smoke of Satan has Entered the Church.” You know its here! I love the Catholic Church, its the true Church tracable all the way back to St. Peter. ‘On this rock I will build my Church.’ Jesus doesn’t get it wrong… Man does.
I don’t like it but I’m 63 years Old and have watched it happen. Born and Raised Catholic. Pray for the Church and all the Christian Church’s because they are all unraveling before our eyes. Believe in the Traditional Catholic teachings if the Priest, Deacon,Bishop, Cardinal or Pope teaches differently the are leading the flock astray…Question it Gently, But Question it. Don’t be lead a stray by the corrupt shepherds, because they are in every Church..Pray Pray Pray.
The Church will stand until Jesus return. It won’t go away. But it will.be a rocky course, ask the Lord to help guide you and the Church.
Carl,
All these supposedly good Catholics? Spoken like a true protestant.. I’m guessing.
Lets be truthful here. They entered the country illegally they broke the law when they did that.
Please Read 8 U.S. Code 1325. I love when people say they did not break any law…they did! The weakest didn’t have a problem hiking, swimming and running from law enforcement to get here? And that piece of paper your talking about comes in many forms, Passports, Green cards, or end result US Citizenship.
The Government can fund the illegals with out going through charity’s , they are hiding the money through the charity’s so tax payers lose track of money…they are buying the Catholic Church. You ever here of separation of church and state? One last thing, Maybe you need to read I Peter 2: 13-15& 17 NIV. Since I noticed you like to try and throw a scripture that might apply to your weak narrative. I’m pretty sure that the 8 million ” Illegals ” that streamed over the border during Joe Biden Regime, there’s a few bad apples in the bunch? If you disagree move to Chicago, New York City, Portland, or one of the other city’s with the Weakest or neediest law breakers in it causing kaos. The problem with Christians or Catholics as you like to separate the two? Is we stayed silent while this was going on when we should not have. P.S.little history lesson for you…Catholics were the Christians being eaten alive and persecuted during the Roman Empire. They are the first of what you segregate as Christians and Catholics. Hope to see you at mass.