Boston, Mass., Nov 3, 2005 / 22:00 pm
A bill that would force the Archdiocese of Boston and other religious groups to disclose its finances moved another step forward this week.
State Representative and chairman of the Judiciary Committee Eugene O'Flaherty sent a bill to the House, reported the Boston Globe. While O’Flaherty’s decision moves the bill forward, it is being considered an unusual move since he did not return it to the bill’s chief sponsor in the Senate, Senator Mary Walsh.
The Catholic Church and other religious groups have voiced their strong opposition to the bill, which they say represents a serious government encroachment on religion.
It would require all religious organizations to file annual financial reports and a list of real-estate holdings with the attorney general's charities division. The bill emerged in the wake of the abuse scandals and financial problems that ensued.