Catholic Church gave $550,000 to anti-gay vote in Maine

[dbackjon]

Despite protestations from our resident Catholics that the Church doesn't fund anti-gay votes, Diocese across the country contributed DIRECTLY $550,000 to deny humans equality.

So the money you put in the v
collection plate went to a anti-equality political campaign.


Www.azcentral.com

[Appaholic]

Despite protestations from our resident Catholics that the Church doesn't fund anti-gay votes, Diocese across the country contributed DIRECTLY $550,000 to deny humans equality.

So the money you put in the v
collection plate went to a anti-equality political campaign.


http://Www.azcentral.com

Nice "gotcha" try, Jon, but I'm sure JJ left himself a loophole to wiggle out of this trap....he did go to Fordham & got a 4.0 in stats, you know......

[dbackjon]

Wi be hard for him to wiggle. He stated clearly that the Church doesn't give money to these things

[Col Hogan]

Wi be hard for him to wiggle. He stated clearly that the Church doesn't give money to these things

Your link is just to the main page of azcentral...is there a link to a story?

[dbackjon]

Wi be hard for him to wiggle. He stated clearly that the Church doesn't give money to these things

Your link is just to the main page of azcentral...is there a link to a story?

I am on iPhone. Hard to link directly. Go under Arizona news. "church gave to bid to end gay vow law"

[danefan]

Your link is just to the main page of azcentral...is there a link to a story?

I am on iPhone. Hard to link directly. Go under Arizona news. "church gave to bid to end gay vow law"

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... e1116.html

[Appaholic]

Interesting....

In Maine, the Diocese of Portland, the only diocese in the state, contributed $300,000 to the cause. Other U.S. dioceses, including Phoenix, added $250,000. Neither of the other two dioceses that serve Arizona - located in Tucson and Gallup, N.M. - contributed.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely criticized for its support of a California measure banning gay marriage, also bypassed the Maine effort.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the two sides of the ballot issue in Maine spent more than $7 million combined.

In such efforts, donations from religious groups do not violate federal tax laws that prohibit churches and other tax-exempt organizations from supporting politicians.

Though the donations may be legally acceptable, not all Catholics approve of them.

Marianne Duddy-Burke of Dignity USA, an organization of gay Catholics, told a Boston gay publication: "It is distressing, disturbing and very painful to see the leadership of our church using funds that should be used for ministry into institutionalizing state-sponsored discrimination."

[dbackjon]

Thanks DF and Appyholic

[Col Hogan]

I am on iPhone. Hard to link directly. Go under Arizona news. "church gave to bid to end gay vow law"

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... e1116.html

Thank You...

[bobbythekidd]

[CitadelGrad]

That money would have been better spent settling lawsuits brought against the church by all those kids whom the priests piddled and diddled.

[JoltinJoe]

Wi be hard for him to wiggle. He stated clearly that the Church doesn't give money to these things

The groups that opposed and funded opposition for the Maine measure were political action groups formed by Catholics. So technically I was right about that. What is troubling is that two dioceses apparently donated funds from a "rainy day" fund to these political action groups. That seems to be violate, in spirit at the very least, the regulations of the USCCB that specify that church donations are not to be used to support specific political candidates or causes. I gather the distinction, in the minds of the two bishops, was that giving money to a PAC was not funding any cause directly, but that's pretty weak.

Money given to the Church should be used for pastoral purposes only, and that's what the USCCB requires.

[JoltinJoe]

Despite protestations from our resident Catholics that the Church doesn't fund anti-gay votes, Diocese across the country contributed DIRECTLY $550,000 to deny humans equality.

So the money you put in the v
collection plate went to a anti-equality political campaign.


http://Www.azcentral.com

Nice "gotcha" try, Jon, but I'm sure JJ left himself a loophole to wiggle out of this trap....he did go to Fordham & got a 4.0 in stats, you know......

You are a hoot. A guy can say something like you must have failed stats, and then mistate what I said, but I can't point out that I actually said something different and defend my knowledge on the subject.

[dbackjon]

So Joe. If you found out that your diocese had funnelled some of your church donations to this, what would you do?

[JoltinJoe]

So Joe. If you found out that your diocese had funnelled some of your church donations to this, what would you do?

I donate to the Cardinal's Annual Appeal in New York and the Archbishop's Annual Appeal every year. You can be sure that I am writing a letter to both to let them know that I am object to use of diocesan funds to influence ANY political election, no matter what the issue. These funds should be used to fund schools, pastoral ministries and activities, like community outreach, food banks, etc.

If Catholics feel compelled to support a political cause, they can donate directly to established political action committees.

[danefan]

So Joe. If you found out that your diocese had funnelled some of your church donations to this, what would you do?

I donate to the Cardinal's Annual Appeal in New York and the Archbishop's Annual Appeal every year. You can be sure that I am writing a letter to both to let them know that I am object to use of diocesan funds to influence ANY political election, no matter what the issue. These funds should be used to fund schools, pastoral ministries and activities, like community outreach, food banks, etc.

If Catholics feel compelled to support a political cause, they can donate directly to established political action committees.

I would add that your opinion on the matter is more likely than not the majority opinion of Catholics in the country. At least in my experience as a Catholic.

[dbackjon]

Bravo, JJ. Will it matter to them, though?

[danefan]

Bravo, JJ. Will it matter to them, though?

Unless JJ has some inside pull, I would venture that it won't.

Unless its a high 5 figure check, which it may be this year, considering how many bankruptcies we saw.

[Skjellyfetti]

This is crap. I wish Obama and his administration would take on churches (liberal and conservative) getting directly involved in politics.

[catamount man]

This is crap. I wish Obama and his administration would take on churches (liberal and conservative) getting directly involved in politics.

Please God no! The evangelicals around here are already dogging Obama as "Muslim", "the antichrist", "hater of God", etc, etc.

I would like some peace in my locale.

FWIW, half the cloth in the RCC is gay so this is basically "hush money".

[D1B]

So Joe. If you found out that your diocese had funnelled some of your church donations to this, what would you do?

I donate to the Cardinal's Annual Appeal in New York and the Archbishop's Annual Appeal every year. You can be sure that I am writing a letter to both to let them know that I am object to use of diocesan funds to influence ANY political election, no matter what the issue. These funds should be used to fund schools, pastoral ministries and activities, like community outreach, food banks, etc.

If Catholics feel compelled to support a political cause, they can donate directly to established political action committees.

Joe, how does a smart, family guy like you get involved with such a bad organization like the catholic church? I guess you should never underestimate the power of self deception.

How do you feel about your money being used to defend pedophiles?

[Appaholic]

Nice "gotcha" try, Jon, but I'm sure JJ left himself a loophole to wiggle out of this trap....he did go to Fordham & got a 4.0 in stats, you know......

You are a hoot. A guy can say something like you must have failed stats, and then mistate what I said, but I can't point out that I actually said something different and defend my knowledge on the subject.

I just happened upon that one post and had to bust your chops.....see, when you are as infallible as myself, then you can spend your free time pointing out everyone else's issues.......

[slycat]

Very interesting. I would be pissed if I donated money at church and they used it for politics. Really bad move on the churches part.

[Appaholic]

Very interesting. I would be pissed if I donated money at church and they used it for politics. Really bad move on the churches part.

...& should cause revocation of their tax-exempt status ASAP.

[D1B]

Half a million.

That money could have fed alot of people.

Also could have been used to cure AIDS through abstinence and fidelity programming in Africa.

What a shame.