Catholic Charities Promoted Planned Parenthood During Holy Week

During the most sacred week on the Catholic calendar, Holy Week, a major arm of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe decided to use its social media platforms to promote transgender activism and pro-abortion groups.

These organizations don’t just contradict core Catholic teaching but they actively endanger children by placing them in situations that can easily turn predatory.

On Holy Tuesday, Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico (CCCNM) highlighted “Trans Day of Visibility” and then, on Holy Wednesday, they went even further by promoting a Planned Parenthood-sponsored “Lavender Prom” event through their TeenMpower program. This gathering was specifically aimed at youth under 18 and encouraged “teens and allies” to interact with adults. The event even offered free rapid HIV testing on site. Last year’s version of these events reportedly included several grown adult males and drag performers mixing with teen attendees.

This kind of activity from a Catholic organization that asks Catholics for donations is equally shocking and deeply sacrilegious. It’s also an outright affront to believers everywhere, especially when it happens during the holiest days leading up to Easter.

Elisa Martinez, Executive Director of New Mexico Alliance for Life, commented on the issue, saying: “There is no excuse for this blatant, reckless promotion of evil, especially among children, during Holy Week of all times. There must be accountability from the top down.”

New Mexico Alliance for Life is calling on Catholics and all pro-lifers in New Mexico to contact the Board of Directors at Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico and demand the immediate firing of CEO Natasha Gacinski as she is responsible for allowing these promotions that not only put children at risk but directly undermine Catholic doctrine.

Even more concerning is the role of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Archbishop Wester sits on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of New Mexico. At present, Catholic Charities receives significant funding from the Archdiocese and actively solicits donations from Catholic parishes across the area. This means that everyday Catholics are essentially being asked to subsidize these scandals through their Sunday collections and charitable gifts.

The controversy doesn’t end there, however. Catholic Charities has also drawn fierce national criticism for a separate but equally troubling matter in 2025; producing an instructional video advising illegal aliens on how to avoid ICE agents.

The video caught the attention of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who took to X to call out the organization directly: “Defund Catholic Charities and every other NGO that cashes government checks to help foreigners game our immigration laws. Direct this money to homeless Americans and veteran care. No more Big Immigration graft. End it once and for all.”

Kirk’s remarks reflect a growing frustration amongst Americans who see taxpayer-funded religious nonprofits working at cross-purposes with federal immigration enforcement, all while homeless citizens and veterans go without adequate support.

It’s also essential to understand the political reality behind groups like Planned Parenthood which is supported almost exclusively by the Democratic Party. Democrats in office consistently defend and fund this organization with taxpayer dollars, even as it performs abortions and pushes sexualizing programs for children. Faithful Catholics deserve far better from institutions that carry the name “Catholic.”

Whilst abortion rates surge in states like New Mexico, a well-funded Catholic agency is spending its energy promoting events tied to Planned Parenthood and coaching illegal aliens on how to evade federal law enforcement, all while cashing government checks. Now is the time for decisive action from the Archdiocese, including the immediate removal of CCCNM CEO Natasha Gacinski.

Catholics should make their voices heard, hold leaders accountable, and redirect their giving to organizations that actually uphold the Gospel of Life. Protecting the most vulnerable and defending the faith demands nothing less.

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