N.J. Catholics warned of theological problem with Ice Bucket Challenge

The Newark, N.J., Roman Catholic Archdiocese has told pastors and Catholic school officials that holding ice bucket challenges, a popular fad that has raised millions of dollars to combat a crippling illness, conflicts with church teachings by funding embryonic stem-cell research.

The warning was issued in a letter from a church official and with the blessing of Archbishop John J. Myers. It said some of the research funded by the ALS Association, which receives much of the money from the ice bucket challenge, involves embryonic stem-cell research, which is opposed by the Catholic Church because of conflicts with its anti-abortion mission.

The challenge involves dumping ice water on participants heads and donating money for research into ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrigs disease.

In the letter last week, the Rev. Lawrence Fama, director of the archdiocesan Office of Respect Life, called the challenge a stunt that can be fun and engaging but questioned whether the practice conflicts with Catholic moral teaching.

Newark is one of just a few dioceses across the nation that have issued advisories about the ice bucket challenge, which has become a social media sensation.

The archdiocese sent the letter Thursday to principals at all 94 Catholic schools in the archdiocese, and to pastors and religious education staff at 218 parishes. It suggested sending donations to organizations that dont use embryonic stem-cell research.

The ALS Association responded to the warnings with a statement saying it primarily funds adult stem-cell research, which is not opposed by the Catholic Church.

The statement went on to say that the association is funding one study that uses embryonic stem cells and that research is funded by one specific donor who is committed to this area of research.

In fact, donors may stipulate that their funds not be invested in this study or any stem-cell project, the statement said.

It was unclear what impact the archdioceses letter would have. Catholic schools wont be back in session for another week and a half. Pastors were sent the letters for informational purposes, said archdiocesan spokesman Jim Goodness, but its up to them to decide how or whether they will share that information with parishioners.

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N.J. Catholics warned of theological problem with Ice Bucket Challenge