Community Leadership Development Inc. (CLDI) is a recent grantee of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, receiving a $65,000 grant in the 2023-2024 cycle and two previous grants for a total of $150,000.
CLDI is one of the few CCHD grantees that is not focused on progressive style community organizing or other Marxist actions. Instead, it does legitimate and praiseworthy acts of service and empowerment. Unfortunately, this organization is thoroughly protestant and engages in protestant instruction and proselytism and therefore should not be receiving Catholic funding.
CLDI states this aspect of its work clearly on its own website:
Lord willing, as CLDI is faithful to make the gospel known in both word and deed, we are provided the opportunity to teach others what it means to follow Jesus. This emphasis on “evangelism and discipleship” is at the heart of CLDI in all that we do. Finally, it is our hope to further partner with the local Church as we encourage those who are new to the faith or still exploring it to be connected to a local, Bible-believing church. It is our conviction that connection to the Church and a community of believers is essential for the well-being and discipleship of every follower of Jesus. For this reason, as a church-based community development work, our partnership with the local Church is paramount. [emphasis added]
Further evidence of CLDI’s direct protestant evangelism can be seen on this June 3, 2024 Facebook post where CLDI brought seven women for baptism.
Conclusion
CLDI is a rare example of a generally praiseworthy CCHD grantee. However, since protestant evangelization is a direct component of its work, we must report it as unfit for continued Catholic funding.
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