Episcopal Press and News

Episcopal Layman to Head Planned Parenthood Program

Diocesan Press Service. December 8, 1966 [49-10]

Bruce D. Carlson, an Episcopal layman and former Church World Service representative in Peru and Chile, has been named director of the Planned Parenthood Program of Church World Service, a department of the National Council of Churches.

As a Church World Service representative in Peru, Mr. Carlson pioneered a family planning program involving the support of 50 Peruvian doctors in 22 cities and towns. He produced a series of filmstrips in Spanish on responsible parenthood, and developed other educational materials, which have since been sent to many Latin American countries.

The Planned Parenthood Program, established within Church World Service in 1965, makes available limited grants which assist in providing family planning clinic facilities, training programs for clinic personnel and field workers, and preparation and publication of related educational materials, in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Information and materials are presently provided to more than 300 doctors in 46 countries, at their request.

As recently as Nov. 22, Presiding Bishop Hines stated, "The Episcopal Church and the bishops of the whole Anglican Communion have clearly expressed vigorous support of world-wide programs of population control." He called upon the Church to double the funds allocated towards birth control throughout the world.

Contributions of Episcopalians for activities of Church World Service, such as the Planned Parenthood Program, are received through the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, 815 Second Ave., New York 10017.