Connecticut Catholics respond to ALS ice bucket controversy

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB/CBS) -

The viral sensation where people douse themselves with a bucket of ice water to raise awareness for ALS is not sitting well with some Connecticut members of the Catholic Church.

Officials with the church gave their own icy response to the "Ice Bucket Challenge." They want to know where the money is going.

From President George W. Bush to Kermit the Frog, every minute someone else is posting a video of the challenge.

Charles Mihaliak said he can't refresh his Facebook feed without seeing someone new try it. But for now, Mihaliak said he isholding back.

"That would be one of the big things that would hold me back from doing the ice bucket challenge,"Mihaliak, who is an altar server, said. "I would like to raise money for it, but if it goes against my beliefs as a Catholic."

The ALS Association said the phenomenon has done wonders for its fundraising. Money raised topped $41 million since July. That's compared to just about $2 million last year.

"I've had several Catholics tell me today that they were unaware of how research is done for that disease," said Steve Trosley, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, told our sister station WXIX.

Catholic leaders in a handful of Dioceses across country are asking ask if you donate, do it in a way that's consistent with the sanctity of life.

"Since the only way you can harvest embryonic stem cells is from an aborted fetus, we are morally opposed to that," Trosley said.

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Connecticut Catholics respond to ALS ice bucket controversy