Edmonton Archbishop Nixes Gambling Funds for Education
An Edmonton archbishop may have taken his religious zealousness a little too far after making a sweeping ban on all Catholic schools and organizations in Alberta to accept funds that originate from gambling related programs.
It is thought that the ban will affect thousands of children and the needy, as much of their funding comes from sources that are considered "gambling-related".
Archbishop Richard Smith said that the organizations and educational facilities in his diocese would, effective October 1, stop taking these funds.
He claimed that the order had already been written up in 2007, but it had only been publicly announced this week.
He stated that this was an "issue of morality" for Canadian Catholics.
"Foremost, among the moral and social problems that arise from legalized gambling in this province is the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable," said the archbishop in a statement.
"It is statistically verified that a weak and vulnerable minority suffers disproportionally in a culture of legalized gambling, especially through the use of video lottery terminals, casinos and high stakes bingo."
The ban will affect groups such as the Edmonton Catholic School Board, which receives millions of dollars in support from organizations such as the Alberta Lottery Fund - a fund that is considered 'gambling' in the eyes of the church.
"The funding is critical for our schools," said a spokesperson for the board, Lory Nagy. "It pays not only for our field trips and for technology, but perhaps, more importantly, it pays for breakfast and hot lunch programs in our schools that we know thousands of children would do without if we didn't have this funding available."
