Posted on 06/15/2007 6:33:23 PM PDT by monomaniac
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, June 15, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island is under fire from an activist group that claims his recent column in the diocesean newspaper criticizing Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani for his position on abortion violated the Church’s tax-exempt status.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate Tobin to determine whether he violated the Church’s tax-exempt status.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, the group’s executive director, said in a news release that Tobin “appears to have violated federal tax law by attacking Giuliani.” He added that “federal tax law forbids non-profits to use organizational resources to support or oppose candidates for public office.”
According to the Associated Press, the IRS has refused to comment on the case until it decides whether or not there is any substance to the complaint. The AP reports that the diocese has rejected the claims as having no merit.
In his article entitled "My R.S.V.P. to Rudy Giuliani," Tobin explained that he had rejected an opportunity to meet with the former New York mayor for his “personally opposed, but…” moral stand on abortion calling it “pathetic and confusing.” (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jun/07060405.html)
"Rudy's preposterous position is compounded by the fact that he professes to be a Catholic," says Bishop Tobin, adding that “Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Pat Leahy, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden come quickly to mind” as Catholics abandoning their faith for “political expediency.”
The bishop has received support and encouragement from faithful Catholics defending his right to express his individual opinion. Fidelis, a Catholic group in the United States praised the Bishop's column and has written Tobin to thank him for his courage.
See related coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:
Bishop Blasts Rudy Guiliani Position on Abortion as "Pathetic", "Confusing", "Hypocritical" http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jun/07060405.html
Bishop Tobin's column can be read in its entirety here: http://www.thericatholic.com/rudy.html
Figures that the “Rev.” Barry W. Lynn would be a Rudybot.
Hmm, this gives me an idea about LULAC......
Bishop Tobin didn’t instruct anyone how to vote. He merely pointed out that Rudy is a lousy Catholic who loves abortion.
Where’s Barry Lynn when Democrats sound off from the pulpits of black churches, often on election day?
Liberals only want freedom of speech for themselves...
Why don’t these activists go down south and start concentrating on the Dems, who campaign in churches there!!
Barry doesn’t often attend any black churches ~ usually afraid to visit that part of town even in the daylight.
Good for the Father for taking a stand. What other stand could he take.
Lynn probably drives the bus from the church to the polls.
In that case, there are a bunch of bishops who are pro-illegals that should be dinged, among them the one in Tucson whose name denotes what we should do to him (Kicanis)
What did this Bishop ever say about Patrick Kennedy or Ted Kennedy?
I am stanchly pro life and not a supporter of Rudy.
These Bishops and Cardinals give a pass on abortion to all of these Pro Abortion Catholic LEGISLATER!
Bishop Tobin: AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!
Rudy plays hardball; for sure. From reports I’ve read, his handlers are as vicious as those hired by Hillary, if not moreso.
Fasten your seatbelts. Until you’ve had a contract put out on you by a bunch of New York Dagos, you don’t know what a life of hell is.
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