Posted on 11/05/2012 11:21:12 AM PST by marshmallow
(CNSNews.com) – Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), late Friday, filed a formal complaint asking the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for allegedly engaging in prohibited political activity in violation of its nonprofit tax status.
The CREW complaint alleges that the nation’s Catholic bishops are “abusing their positions to advocate against the election of President Barack Obama,” and anticipated further actions during this weekend’s sermons.
The complaint mentions several bishops -- including Nicholas Di Marzio in New York; David Ricken in Wisconsin; Edward J. Burns in Alaska and Paul Loverde in Virginia -- who it said have “warned of the evils of the Obama administration, followed by an exhortation for Catholics to vote.”
CREW also alleges that some bishops “have cautioned that voting for Democrats would not be faithful to Christ and would endanger the soul.”
But the complaint zeroed in on Illinois Bishop Daniel Jenky, who, the liberal activist group said, “previously compared President Obama to Stalin and Hitler.”
CREW objected to the fact that the traditionalist bishop of Peoria, Ill., is “requiring every priest in his diocese to read a statement accusing the administration of an ‘assault upon our religious freedom . . . simply without precedent in the American political and legal system,’” according to the complaint.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
The attempt to intimidate and muzzle Christianity continues in this country.
Also the start of the attempt to blame someone, anyone except Barry Benghazi, for his loss tomorrow.
I guess the Pope made him lose, until they find someone else.
Investigate all you like. They’re no longer afraid of your attempts to undermine their conscience. This comes directly from the top of the church, who are sick of Democrats and their war against God. I hope to see us come close to winning the Catholic vote on election day thanks to these brave priests.
Hopefully a Romney Administration will have appointees who will investigate foreign $$$, connections, trade secrets, stolen technologies, influence peddling, crony capitalism.
And voter fraud.
Also, begin the process of de-funding the left.
No word on how the IRS’s “investigation” of the “black” churches is going? What investigation?
Our pastor had a sermon on the election. Apparently the video of it has been seen over 120,000 times.
I found it on youtube (start at 2:30), for anyone interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRlR-_wNfRA
You bet. All of those need significant reform.
They deliberately ignore the campaigning that takes place in churches that support 0bama, the “rev” Wright.
They share 0bama’s hatred for the Catholic church.
They can not say a thing after 20 years of elections and black churches electioneering....You allowed it for black churches you can not stop it in any other one just because you do not like the message.
In 2003, this story popped back up on Newsmax, covering the same topic.
With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff
For the story behind the story... Tuesday November 7, 2000; 9:37 AM ET
Jesse Jackson Jr. Says Church Politicking 'Supersedes the Law'
It may be against federal election law to campaign in church. But for Democrats seeking to get out the vote in minority districts, politicking from the pulpit has become indispensable.
In the last days of this year's campaign, Vice President Al Gore, Senate candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband have all made regular appearances at African-American and Hispanic churches.
Even when parishioners objected to Mrs. Clinton campaigning from the altar at a Rochester, N.Y., Catholic church last week, the rules were not enforced. Those who didn't like it were simply ejected by police while the first lady continued her campaign speech.
Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., whose namesake is both a reverend and one of the Democratic Party's most vocal boosters, was challenged on the issue Monday during a Tennessee radio interview on WLAC-AM by "Nashville This Morning" hosts Steve Gill and Terry Hopkins.
GILL: Let me ask you about this. It's against IRS regulations for politicians to campaign from the pulpit. Why are these politicians campaigning in black churches?
JACKSON: I'm not totally convinced that's true in the African-American community. Certainly there's a separation of church and state. But in our community there's little distinction between our religion and our politics. ... And so in many African-American churches born out of experience in this country, the role of the churches has evolved into a very, very active political institution which has been very effective for a number of causes in the black community.
HOPKINS: And that supersedes the law?
JACKSON: Absolutely. Oh, absolutely.
-PJ
From the NewsMax.com Staff Thursday, June 3, 2004
For the story behind the story... Only Democrats Are Allowed to Campaign in Churches
Anti-religious zealots and hypocrites who don't object when the likes of John Kerry and Al Sharpton and Bill Clinton and Al Gore and Jesse Jackson and Jimmy Carter campaign in churches are feigning outrage that President Bush dares to do the same thing.
An e-mail from Luke Bernstein of the Bush-Cheney campaign's office in Pennsylvania asks churchgoers to organize "Friendly Congregations" to promote the president's re-election.
"I'd like to ask if you would like to serve as a coordinator in your place of worship," the message says. "We plan to undertake activities such as distributing general information/updates or voter registration materials in a place accessible to the congregation."
Kevin Madden, a spokesman for the campaign, said: "People of faith feel strongly about the president, are people we want to be part of our campaign. This message is intended to be from individual to individual. This is organizing with individuals who may be members of a church who we hope to identify as supporters and be part of our efforts."
The Internal Revenue Service supposedly bans tax-exempt organizations such as churches from politicking, but Jackson and other Democrats have violated that regulation for decades with impunity. Kerry has recently campaigned and staged photo opportunities at several churches. The New York Times and wire stories attacking the Bush campaign's strategy today refused to mention those facts.
How dare Republicans do what Democrats are allowed to do. Barry Lynn, head of a group that calls itself Americans United for Separation of Church and State, raged, "I have never in my life seen such a direct campaign to politicize American churches."
I would refer all to this link posted in a recent thread:
Groups like CREW are toothless thugs, and Catholics are through running.
Surprised my Bishop is not on the list.
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