Posted on 12/22/2008 1:00:15 PM PST by Alex Murphy
SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco's Roman Catholic archbishop says he invited leaders of the Mormon Church to get involved in the campaign to pass a gay marriage ban in California this year at the request of his fellow bishops.
Archbishop George Niederauer wrote in a column to be published in a diocesan newspaper Friday that he wanted to address the "many misunderstandings and hard feelings" resulting from Proposition 8's adoption.
It's the first time the archbishop has commented on how churches organized to help push through the initiative, which overturned the California Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex nuptials. Mormon leaders had given a similar account of how its members, who represent about 2 percent of the California residents with a religious affiliation, came to play such a prominent role in promoting Proposition 8.
Niederauer said that after the state's Catholic bishops endorsed the measure, staff from the California Catholic Conference told him The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had actively supported a similar ballot initiative eight years ago.
Niederauer, who previously served as bishop of Salt Lake City, said he sent a letter to Mormon leaders.
"I did write to them and they urged the members of their Church, especially those in California, to become involved," he said.
By some estimates, contributions from Mormon supporters accounted for 45 percent of the $38 million raised by the Yes on 8 campaign.
In the month since the election, Mormon temples around the country have become targets of protest, and some gay rights activists have called for a boycott of Mormon-owned businesses and even the entire state of Utah.
Niederauer also defended the active involvement churches played in the campaign, saying "religious leaders in America have the constitutional right to speak out on issues of public policy."
Niederauer said that while he knew many gay people felt "hurt and offended," both sides "need to be able to disagree without being disagreeable.
"We need to stop talking as if we are experts on the real motives of people with whom we have never even spoken. We need to stop hurling names like "bigot" and "pervert" at each other. And we need to stop it now," he said.
Only $38 million for prop 8 supporters? I’m pretty sure the “no on Prop 8” raised quite a bit more than that and they still lost.
Does this now mean that the coercive utopians and secular leftists will have their fangs out for the Catholics out in California?
Christians cooperating with each other? LOL good thing it wasn’t the two Southern Baptist churches across town trying to coordinate!
(Just a joke, I am a Souther Baptist!)
Well, I’m glad both parties could come together to help defeat gay marriage in California.
I must admit, I’m a bit shocked at the Catholic and Mormon churches getting together in such a way, but strange times call for strange bedfellows (pardon the pun).
Keep it on-topic.
Understood.
Understood.
Depending on how such an operation occurred, the archbishop and others may have violated 501c3 tax charity status by engaging in political advocacy for/against a particular candidate/party/ballot initiative.
Believe me, they were very careful not to overstep the limits. Neiderauer has not been a shining light, in general, and would certainly not challenge the government. Nor would the Mormons.
Neiderauer was the Catholic bishop of SLC before going to SF, supposedly at the request of Cdl Levada. So he has good relations with the Mormons, and they simply got together and did what they could legitimately do. This is a moral issue, and churches certainly have the right to offer their opinions.
“Souther Baptist”, is that a new denomination? (It’s a joke!)
You need to review the IRS regs. Churches can advocate as to issues. They can't take a stand for or against a candidate in a partisan political race.
"Currently, the law prohibits political campaign activity by charities and churches by defining a 501(c)(3) organization as one "which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office."
"The IRS has published Revenue Ruling 2007-41, which outlines how churches, and all 501(c)(3) organizations, can stay within the law regarding the ban on political activity. Also, the ban by Congress is on political campaign activity regarding a candidate; churches and other 501(c)(3) organizations can engage in a limited amount of lobbying (including ballot measures) and advocate for or against issues that are in the political arena. The IRS also has provided guidance regarding the difference between advocating for a candidate and advocating for legislation. See political and lobbying activities."
See quoted passage, additional materials, and links at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161131,00.html
Mere tax regulations should never stop The Church from speaking the truth.
Because we must first and always serve God.
“No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammom.”
Matt 6:24
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