State ethics office investigates Connecticut diocese as lobbying group

CantholicNewsAgency ^ | Bridgeport, Conn., May 29, 2009

[GonzoII]

www.catholicnewsagency.com

State ethics office investigates Connecticut diocese as lobbying group

Diocese of Bridgeport sues for First Amendment violation

Bishop William Lori

Bridgeport, Conn., May 29, 2009 / 05:16 pm (CNA).- In response to its efforts to fight a bill that would have redefined the financial and pastoral structure of the Catholic Church in Connecticut, the Diocese of Bridgeport is now being investigated by the Office of State Ethics (OSE) for acting as a lobbying group without registering as one. Today, the diocese filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the investigation.

According to the Diocese of Bridgeport, a letter was received on April 23, 2009 from Thomas K. Jones, Ethics Enforcement Officer for the OSE, who informed the diocese that it was "the subject of an Office of State Ethics evaluation." The Church is suspected to have violated several Connecticut General Statutes (1-94, 1-95 and 1-96) which deal with “failing to register as a lobbyist in Connecticut,” “failing to submit all other appropriate lobbyist filings” and “failing to follow all applicable registration procedures."

The letter from the OSE argues that the diocese acted as a lobbying organization by participating in a rally at the State Capitol opposing Bill 1098 and using its website to encourage members to contact their elected representatives to oppose proposed legislation.

Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport reacted to the investigation earlier today, saying, "Following the surprise introduction of Bill 1098, a proposal that singled out Catholic parishes and would have forced them to reorganize contrary to Church law and the First Amendment, our Diocese responded in the most natural, spontaneous, and frankly, American, of ways: we alerted our membership – in person and through our website; we encouraged them to exercise their free speech by contacting their elected representatives; and, we organized a rally at the State Capitol.

“How can this possibly be called lobbying?" he asked.
 
Over the weekend, all parishes in the Bridgeport Diocese will hear a letter read to them from Bishop Lori addressing the investigation. In his letter, the bishop explains what he believes the consequences of the state  requiring to register as a lobbying organization would be.

“Once again,” writes Lori, “we should be outraged. 'Lobbying'? Exhortations from the pulpit, information posted to the world wide web, a rally in the middle of the day on the State’s most public piece of property? This cannot possibly be what our Legislature had in mind when it enacted lobbying laws to bring more transparency and oversight to a legislative process that has been corrupted by special interests and backroom deals.

“Let’s be clear: we violated no law.” Bishop Lori states in his letter.

In response to the investigation, the diocese announced on Friday afternoon that it had filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Thomas Jones, OSE Ethics Enforcement Officer, and against Carol Carson, Executive Director of the OSE. The Bridgeport Diocese is seeking a court order to prevent further action against it by the Office of State Ethics.

"I believe that an order from the Court barring Mr. Jones and his colleagues at the OSE from applying the lobbying laws to the Diocese in this manner is necessary to enable the Diocese to continue to carry out its mission without fear of incurring civil penalties, exposure to possible criminal prosecution, burdensome administrative requirements, and intrusive oversight by the State," Bishop Lori said.

Copyright @ CNA
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com)

[GonzoII]

[GonzoII]

Related:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2203445/posts

[Jeff Chandler]

YES WE CAN!

[GonzoII]

Blast from the past post 11:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2203445/posts?page=11#11

[Maelstorm]

Can’t have those Religious folks influencing anything. I’ve been working in the Shelton/Bridgeport area. This is horrible.

[GonzoII]

Ping.

[NYer]

Catholic Ping List
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[NYer]

CT ping!

[bronxville]

“In response to its efforts to fight a bill that would have redefined the financial and pastoral structure of the Catholic Church in Connecticut, the Diocese of Bridgeport is now being investigated by the Office of State Ethics (OSE) for acting as a lobbying group without registering as one.”

This is the scariest thing I’ve seen since their previous attempt to take-over the Diocese. It’s even more chilling, in that, they have no fear in so-doing. Pravda recently had an article discussing the US and the rapid journey to Marxism. And who knows better than them....

[sitetest]

The diocese should ask for punitive monetary damages in an amount to make it the overwhelmingly largest creditor so that when forced to file bankruptcy, the government of the state of Connecticut will pass into the ownership of the Catholic Church.

At that time, the Catholic bishops of Connecticut can appoint the government, and pass legislation permitting the government to try and execute those who persecute the Church, and those who persecute the innocent unborn through legalized abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

[Desdemona]

Cool idea. Unfortunately, in this country, it would probably be deemed unconstitutional. First amendment and all.

That doesn't change that this is a blatant attempt to dictate to the Church.

[GonzoII]

"The diocese should ask for punitive monetary damages in an amount to make it the overwhelmingly largest creditor so that when forced to file bankruptcy, the government of the state of Connecticut will pass into the ownership of the Catholic Church."

LOL. I'll say this, the Church needs to fight fire with fire in these attacks on her. Take 'em to court every time.

[AnAmericanMother]

The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been very passive for a very long time, I think fearful of the anti-Catholic strain in American thought that began with the Pilgrims and continued through the Know-Nothings, Thomas Nast, and the opposition to Al Smith.

But these folks who keep poking the Church with threats of prosecution really don't know much about the Church's history. They could raise up another one of these guys if they're not careful --

Get the Church fired up, and there's no telling WHAT might happen.

[AnAmericanMother]

The first guy on my list would think that was a GREAT idea!

[sitetest]

Dear Desdemona,

The trick is to get it all done, trials, executions and all, before anyone has a chance to get a restraining order from the Supreme Tyrants,..., er... uh, Court.

It's always easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission.

sitetest

[bdeaner]

They could raise up another one of these guys if they're not careful --

Count me in.

[AnAmericanMother]

The bishop looks mad enough to start an auto da fe all on his own.

I'll bring the marshmallows.

[livius]

It’s even more chilling, in that, they have no fear in so-doing.

I agree. They're not even slightly hesitant - but the fact is that they probably don't have any reason to hesitate even one instant. This is a very frightening thing.

[livius]

The trick is to get it all done, trials, executions and all, before anyone has a chance to get a restraining order from the Supreme Tyrants,..., er... uh, Court.

This is how Bambi (or the people behind him, at any rate) have done everything.

[tob2]

“That doesn’t change that this is a blatant attempt to dictate to the Church.”

What a horrible thought!