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(published in Dallas Morning News Dec. 22, 2002
and the Star Telegram on Dec. 23, 2002)

Faith-based groups will benefit from Bush's Order

(The following OpEd was written by Dr. Kurt Senske in response to President Bush's faith-based initiative.)

Hallelujah! President Bush has signed a series of executive orders directing federal agencies to treat religious and secular charities equally when awarding federal money.

Lutheran Social Services of the South particularly applauds Mr. Bush for his order directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to end its policy of prohibiting religious nonprofits from getting disaster relief funds.

We experienced that discrimination firsthand after the New Life Children's Residential Treatment Center for troubled girls was flooded on July 4. When a spillway overflowed, the nearby New Life campus was swamped. After floodwaters receded, we were left with nearly $2 million in property and operating losses.

New Life was established in 1993 in response to Texas child welfare authorities who determined there was a significant unmet need for intensive psychiatric services for children with severe emotional and behavioral problems stemming from past abuse and/or neglect.

Because we were providing a much-needed public service to the state of Texas, we believed we qualified for federal disaster relief funds. We applied for assistance to help rebuild the center, which always has a waiting list.

Imagine our shock when we received a letter rejecting our request "because one of the purposes of the organization is 'to bring the gospel and ministrations of Christian love to those who come within its sphere of services.'"

That single sentence, the sole rationale for rejecting our request for disaster funds, was pulled from our articles of incorporation written back in 1926 when the Lutheran Aid and Orphans' Society was created. We appealed, submitting reams of documentation and holding numerous discussions with disaster relief officials about the services we provide. We reassured them that we don't discriminate against those we serve on the basis of religion, race, sex or ethnicity and that the spiritual care we offer is strictly voluntary.

Finally, in late September, we received word that we were eligible to receive disaster relief funds. Between the federal funds and an incredible outpouring of support from the community, we have been able to raise the money needed to rebuild New Life. Thanks to the assistance of hundreds of volunteers and contractors working long hours, we expect to have the girls back on the campus by the end of 2002.

It is our hope, and our prayer, that Mr. Bush's order gives a clear directive so that other faith-based organizations don't have to go through a lengthy, expensive appeal process so they can provide much-needed social services.

Dr. Kurt Senske is president and chief executive officer of the Austin-based Lutheran Social Services of the South.

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