CRCNA Seeks KAIROS Funds Reversal

The Christian Reformed Church in North America has sent a letter to the Canadian government protesting its decision to cut off funding to KAIROS, a church based non-governmental organization that includes seven of Canada’s largest denominations.

In the letter, the CRC calls on the government to reverse its decision as well as for better communication between the government and KAIROS, an ecumenical partnership that works to promote human rights, justice and peace, viable human development, and ecological justice.

A letter has also been sent to CRC pastors in Canada asking them to pray and work on this issue.

"We trust that open dialogue will allow the vital work of KAIROS and others to continue," writes Rev. Bruce Adema, director of Canadian ministries for the CRC, to Bev Oda, Canada’s minister of international co-operation.

The CRC in Canada has for many years supported the work of KAIROS on a range of social justice and human rights issues in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The CRC was among the first denominations to place its backing behind KAIROS.

"KAIROS' international partnership, with CIDA's decades-long support of them, have protected lives and livelihoods and enhanced human dignity," writes Adema. CIDA is the Canadian International Development Agency.

A Dec. 2 story in the Toronto Globe and Mail says that the government abruptly "terminated funding to Canada's major faith-based overseas human-rights organization, KAIROS, effectively cutting its total budget in half for the next four years unless it finds replacement money."

"A brief statement from International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda said KAIROS's work doesn't meet current priorities of the Canadian International Development Agency, thus ending a 35-year relationship. KAIROS – an ancient Greek word meaning 'the right moment' – was expecting $7-million," the newspaper says.

"We place a very high value on KAIROS, and thank God that the Christian Reformed Church can be a member denomination," Adema said in an interview. "With many other Christian denominations, through KAIROS we have been able to promote justice and hope in many parts of the world, standing up for marginalized and vulnerable people." 

Adema also says that it "is most regrettable that the Canadian government has denied renewed funding to KAIROS, and most curious that this happened without warning and without explanation." He urges CRC members and congregations to contact their MPs, seeking the reversal of this decision.

Since 1973, KAIROS and the church coalitions from which it was formed, had received funding from CIDA to support partners working in regions with some of the world’s most egregious human rights violations, KAIROS says in a press release. It supports partners in countries such as Sudan, the Congo, the Philippines and Colombia who face extreme human rights and humanitarian crises as well as political repression.

It says the proposal for funding was developed within two priority sectors of CIDA: promoting good governance (human rights) and advancing ecological sustainability (reducing the impact of climate change and addressing land degradation) and "was approved at every level of CIDA before being declined on November 30."

The decision, if not reversed, would cut funds to 21 ecumenical and citizen’s organizations in countries worldwide and cut educational work that helps Canadians to develop skills and knowledge in advocating for social justice.

Mike Hogeterp, research and communications manager for the Committee for Contact with the Government for CRC churches in Canada, says his organization has built strong partnerships with KAIROS to help vulnerable and hurting people.

"The unexpected and disappointing news of the rejection of the KAIROS CIDA grant threatens decades of important work in the south and a testimony for justice here in Canada. CCG is working with our Parliamentary contacts to see what can be done about this unfortunate turn of events - we too, encourage CRC members to contact their MPs to work for a reversal of this decision," Hogeterp said.

KAIROS asks people to write to:

The Hon. Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation: [email protected]

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada: [email protected] or [email protected]

Margaret Biggs, President of CIDA: [email protected]

It asks that they send a copy of the letters to KAIROS at [email protected].

In his letter to CRC pastors, Adema asks them to write lawmakers expressing "grave concern about this decision." He also urges them to:

• Emphasize the impact of this decision for global partners and KAIROS' work in Canada.
• Ask that CIDA restore its long-standing relationship with KAIROS.
• Emphasize the impact of this decision for global partners and KAIROS' work in Canada.

For more information, visit KAIROScanada.org.