WASHINGTON (BP) — “Idol Gives Back,” the charity program of “American Idol,” is not worthy of support from people who regard unborn life as sacred, a pro-life leader says.

The hugely popular Fox television series will hold its charity fundraising event for the second year with a 2½-hour telecast April 9. Last year, Idol Gives Back raised more than $76 million for charities that combat poverty, disease, and other problems.

Among the six charities named as beneficiaries of this year’s program, however, is one – Save the Children – that partners internationally with organizations that promote abortion as a method of family planning, according to Life Decisions International (LDI). Save the Children, which received $14.5 million last year from Idol Gives Back, has working relationships with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Population Action International, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, LDI said.

LDI President Douglas Scott applauded the desire of American Idol to aid the poor but said it is “tragic” a charity such as Save the Children, which he said has “far too much deadly baggage,” will benefit from the effort.

“If you believe the plight of preborn children is as important as the plight of the poor, do not participate in ‘Idol Gives Back,’” Scott said in a written release. “We are caring people who want to do our part to help those less fortunate, but we will do so through organizations that do not view the killing of human beings as a ‘solution’ to poverty and other adult-created problems.”