ALS Ice Bucket Challenge prompts Catholic criticism over embryonic research

(PIX11) As the Ice Bucket Challenge grows in a popularity by the day, a Catholic archdiocese in Ohio has denounced donations to the ALS Association, because of the organizations position on embryonic stem-cell research.

Jimmy Rigg, superintendent of the Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, told 113 schools to immediately cease donations to the association.

We appreciate the compassion that has caused so many people to engage in this, said Dan Andriacco, the archdiocese spokesman. But its a well-established moral principle that a good end is not enough. The means to that ends must be morally licit.

Father Michael Duffy published a blog poston Pathoes.com condemning the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and the practices of the ALS Association.

The problem that I have the with ALS Ice Bucket challenge is that the ALS Association is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research, explained Duffy.

Because the Catholic Church holds that life begins at conception, many believe destroying an embryo is comparable to taking a life.

The American Life League, an anti-abortion organization, has tagged the ALS Association as being not worthy of support from pro-lifers.

However, Life League admits the ALS Association primarily funds adult, not embryonic stem cell research.

For those who share the views of the Life League, Duffy suggests donating to the John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa instead of ALS Association.

The John Paul II Medical Research institute in Iowa is a secular organization that is grounded in a pro-life bioethic that respects the dignity of every human life.

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ALS Ice Bucket Challenge prompts Catholic criticism over embryonic research